South Carolina finally found the spark it had been searching for, snapping a three-game slide with an 85-76 win over Oklahoma on Tuesday night at Colonial Life Arena. Behind a fast start and some timely shot-making, the Gamecocks (11-8, 2-4 SEC) notched their second conference victory of the season - and did it with a short-handed rotation that showed no signs of slowing down.
The tone was set early, and it was Elijah Strong who lit the fuse. The freshman forward came out firing, scoring the game’s first 11 points and finishing with 17 points and five rebounds. His early burst gave South Carolina the jolt it needed, and from there, the Gamecocks never looked back.
Meechie Johnson led the way with a team-high 20 points, continuing to be a steady hand on the perimeter. Johnson’s ability to create his own shot and keep the offense humming was crucial, especially in stretches where Oklahoma threatened to claw back.
Kobe Knox chipped in with a season-high 18 points, giving the Gamecocks a much-needed secondary scoring punch. Knox’s performance wasn’t just about the numbers - it was about timing. He hit key shots to halt Oklahoma runs and gave South Carolina momentum when it mattered most.
With Eli Ellis sidelined due to injury, South Carolina leaned heavily on a seven-man rotation. That kind of workload can test a team’s endurance, but the Gamecocks responded with grit and efficiency. They shot 49% from the field and were selective but effective from deep, going 9-for-20 from beyond the arc.
Oklahoma, meanwhile, couldn’t shake its recent struggles. The loss marked the Sooners’ fifth straight, and they now find themselves at the bottom of the SEC standings. Despite some individual flashes, they couldn’t keep pace with South Carolina’s shot-making or match the Gamecocks’ energy out of the gate.
Next up for South Carolina: a road trip to Texas A&M on Saturday. With momentum finally swinging in their favor, the Gamecocks will look to build on this win and keep climbing in the SEC race.