Gamecocks Triumph Over Mercer in 84-72 Win
COLUMBIA, S.C. – In an electrifying matchup, the South Carolina Gamecocks secured an 84-72 victory against Mercer on Thursday night, propelled by standout performances from Jamarii Thomas and Zachary Davis. Thomas led the Gamecocks with 19 points, shooting 5 of 10 overall, including an impressive 4 of 5 from beyond the arc, and also contributed three steals. Davis added 18 points and five rebounds, marking a career-high as he went 7 of 12 from the field.
Collin Murray-Boyles had a notable game with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Jacobi Wright chipped in with 11 points. Mercer’s Tyler Johnson led the Bears with 15 points, including four 3-pointers, while Alex Holt and Angel Montas Jr. each contributed 14 points.
The Gamecocks entered halftime with a narrow 36-32 lead, aided by Thomas and Davis’ early scoring. Mercer’s Johnson and Cam Bryant kept the Bears competitive, scoring nine and seven points, respectively. A pivotal moment came when Mercer briefly took the lead in the second half, but South Carolina responded strongly. A Myles Stute 3-pointer extended the Gamecocks’ lead to 70-62, and they maintained control of the game, not allowing the Bears to mount a comeback.
This matchup marked the first encounter between the two programs since 2001, with South Carolina winning for the fourth consecutive time against Mercer. The Gamecocks showcased a season-high 12 three-pointers and a significant bench performance advantage of 29-21.
Looking ahead, South Carolina will face Xavier in the Fort Myers Tip-Off on Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET, as the team aims to build on this victory.
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Photo credit www.foxcarolina.com
