Aleksas Bieliauskas gave South Carolina exactly the kind of lift it needed Saturday, and the Gamecocks used a strong second half to shake off Gardner-Webb for a 79-62 win at Colonial Life Arena.
The Wisconsin transfer was the story of the afternoon, pouring in a career-high 23 points and giving South Carolina a steady scoring source when the game was still tight. Bieliauskas scored the Gamecocks’ first 12 points and kept them afloat early before the rest of the offense settled in. His previous career best was 17 points last year for Wisconsin against Michigan.
South Carolina improved to 4-0, with every win coming against mid-major opponents. Juan Fernandez and Marcus Johnson added 16 points apiece as the Gamecocks finished the job after leading 35-33 at halftime.
Gardner-Webb made South Carolina work for it. The Runnin’ Bulldogs, members of the Big South Conference, were playing their third Power 4 opponent in four games. They had already faced top-10 teams UConn and Texas, and their only win came against Division II Erskine.
The Gamecocks came out sharp and built a 28-16 lead after hitting eight of their first nine shots. But the rhythm disappeared late in the half, and South Carolina went the final 5:25 before halftime without a field goal. That opening burst turned into a two-point halftime margin.
The second half belonged to South Carolina inside. The Gamecocks outscored Gardner-Webb 38-34 in the paint overall and controlled the lane even more decisively after the break, winning the second-half paint battle 22-8.
Camden Heide also made his return to the lineup after missing Wednesday’s game against St. Peter’s with a hand injury.
The Texas transfer did not start, but he was the first substitute in at the 15:21 mark of the first half. Heide had injured his hand going up for a dunk against Southeast Missouri State on Nov. 8 and played Saturday with his right hand heavily taped.
South Carolina’s upcoming schedule includes a home game against Elon on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. on SEC Network Plus, then a trip to Palm Springs, Calif., for games against Southern Cal on Nov. 25 at 4:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network and Arizona State on Nov. 26 at 2 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. The Gamecocks then play at NC State on Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. on ACC Network.
In Other News...
South Carolina Faces A Game-Changing QB Decision At Arkansas
LaNorris Sellers has been working through a left ankle injury since last week, and South Carolina is heading into its trip to Arkansas with its quarterback situation still unsettled. The Gamecocks have been managing his workload in practice, but the decision on whether he can go is expected to come down right at game time.
If Sellers is unable to play, sophomore Cutter Woods is the likely next man up, which would put a lot on the shoulders of a young quarterback in a tough road setting. For South Carolina, the stakes are obvious: the offense looks very different depending on who takes the first snap, and the uncertainty alone adds another layer to an already important SEC week. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina Could Be Missing A Key Game-Day Staple At Arkansas
A travel headache tied to the FAAs nationwide grounding of flights has put South Carolinas band in a difficult spot ahead of the Gamecocks trip to Arkansas. Some band members were stranded at the airport after flights were canceled, and officials have been working to rebook them on later flights or arrange hotel accommodations as they try to sort out the logistics.
For a program that leans on its band as part of the game-day atmosphere, the uncertainty is a notable wrinkle on the road. South Carolina officials are focused on making sure everyone gets back safely, but the band may not be in position to perform at the game, leaving one of the more familiar staples of the experience in doubt. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Just Showed South Carolina A Rival Weakness Worth Watching
Clemsons early stumble against Georgetown offered a reminder that even a team with expectations can be pushed around when it gets behind quickly. Georgetown built a lead as large as 19 in the first half and held on through a late Clemson push, with Ace Buckner scoring 20 for the Tigers and Jaland Lowe leading the Hoyas with 21.
For South Carolina fans, the result is worth filing away because it exposed a vulnerability in a rival that will matter if Clemson has to chase games against better competition. The Tigers still have time to settle in during the 2026-2027 season, but the way Georgetown controlled the opening stretch is the kind of weakness opponents will keep trying to exploit. [Read more 🡒]