Clemson Outlasts South Carolina in Rivalry Clash: Gamecocks Still Searching for Signature Win
The South Carolina Gamecocks walked into Littlejohn Coliseum Tuesday night with more than just bragging rights on the line. This annual rivalry matchup against Clemson offered a shot at something bigger - a win over a Quad 1 opponent, the kind of victory that can shift the narrative of a season and bolster a postseason résumé.
Instead, the Tigers reminded everyone why they’re the more seasoned squad right now, pulling away late for a 68-61 win. South Carolina, now 7-4, showed flashes early but couldn’t sustain the effort over 40 minutes. Clemson improved to 9-3 and, more importantly, showed the kind of poise and discipline that wins these rivalry games.
Let’s break down what went wrong - and what it means for the Gamecocks moving forward.
1. Clemson’s Discipline Wins the Day
This one came down to execution and composure - and Clemson had more of both.
The Gamecocks started strong, but cracks started to show midway through the first half. Turnovers became costly, especially when Clemson turned all five of USC’s first-half giveaways into transition points.
That’s the kind of efficiency that swings momentum in tight games. On the flip side, South Carolina managed just four points off Clemson’s four turnovers.
The Tigers also controlled the paint - outscoring USC 16-14 inside - and shot the ball with greater efficiency overall. But the biggest issue for South Carolina was foul trouble.
Ten fouls in the first half alone, compared to Clemson’s seven, put the Gamecocks in a bind. Clemson capitalized at the line, hitting four of seven free throws, while five different USC players picked up three or more fouls.
Junior forward Elijah Strong eventually fouled out.
The second half didn’t offer much relief. Clemson stayed composed, while South Carolina continued to struggle with fouls, turnovers, and shot selection. In a rivalry game, those margins matter - and they added up.
2. Early Success Driving Inside - But It Didn’t Last
South Carolina came out with a clear plan: attack the rim. And early on, it worked.
The Gamecocks opened the game with three straight drives to the basket, jumping out to a 9-2 lead - all from points in the paint. It was a smart adjustment for a team that’s been built around perimeter shooting this season. But that early aggression faded as the game wore on, and USC drifted back to the perimeter, where shots weren’t falling.
Senior guard Mike Sharavjamts led the charge inside, finishing with a team-high 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting. He was aggressive and efficient around the rim, though he struggled from deep (0-for-3). Kobe Knox matched his 13 points, shooting 5-of-7 from the field, including one made three on three attempts.
The lesson here? When USC commits to attacking the basket, they can hang with quality opponents. But when they settle for contested jumpers, especially against a disciplined defense like Clemson’s, the offense stalls.
3. Depth Didn’t Deliver
One of South Carolina’s strengths this season has been its depth. Coming into the game, 12 of the 13 active players were averaging at least eight minutes per game.
Ten players were averaging double-digit minutes, and seven players were scoring at least five points per contest. That kind of rotation flexibility is rare - and valuable - especially over the grind of a long season.
But on Tuesday, Clemson’s bench was simply better.
The Tigers outscored South Carolina 41-14 in bench points, a staggering margin in a game decided by just seven. While USC’s rotation has been praised for its balance, it lacked punch in this one. Six Gamecocks finished with five or fewer points, and the second unit couldn’t generate the kind of impact needed to swing momentum.
Clemson’s bench not only played more minutes on average but also distributed scoring more evenly across the roster. That depth showed up in the second half, as the Tigers stayed fresh and executed down the stretch while the Gamecocks struggled to find consistent production.
What’s Next for South Carolina?
This wasn’t just another rivalry loss. It was a missed opportunity to grab a Quad 1 win - the kind of result that selection committees remember in March.
The Gamecocks showed they can hang with a quality opponent, but hanging isn’t enough. To take the next step, they’ll need to clean up the fouls, take better care of the ball, and find ways to get more from their bench.
There’s still time to course-correct. But if South Carolina wants to prove it belongs in the upper tier of the SEC - and in the NCAA Tournament conversation - it’ll need to start turning these close games into statement wins.