Imagine starting a basketball game by missing your first 19 three-point attempts. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? But that's exactly what happened to the South Carolina Gamecocks in their December 13, 2025, matchup against The Citadel. And yet, in a stunning turn of events, they managed to pull off a 71-55 victory. How did they do it? Let's dive into the details.
The Gamecocks' Meechie Johnson emerged as the hero of the night, scoring 14 of his 19 points in the second half. His clutch performance, combined with key contributions from Mike Sharavjamts (14 points) and Kobe Knox (12 points), helped South Carolina overcome their sluggish start. But here's where it gets interesting: After missing those first 19 three-pointers, Myles Stute finally broke the drought with 9:20 left in the game. Less than three minutes later, Johnson and Grant Polk hit back-to-back threes, giving the Gamecocks a 55-47 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
Johnson's three-point play and Hayden Assemian's follow-up basket extended the lead to 11 points with 4:24 remaining, effectively sealing the deal. Meanwhile, The Citadel's Carter Kingsbury led his team with 18 points, shooting an impressive 8 of 14 from the field. However, the Bulldogs struggled overall, shooting just 37% from the field and a dismal 11% from three-point range (2 of 19). Their free-throw shooting (55%) didn't do them any favors either.
And this is the part most people miss: Despite South Carolina's abysmal 3-of-23 three-point shooting, they finished strong, making 9 of 14 field goals in the final 10 minutes. This late-game efficiency highlights the team's resilience and ability to adapt under pressure. The Bulldogs, now 0-8 against Division-I opponents this season, continue to search for their first major win.
Looking ahead, The Citadel will face Charleston on Wednesday, while South Carolina takes on Clemson on Tuesday. But here's a thought-provoking question for you: Does South Carolina's ability to win despite such poor three-point shooting indicate a deeper issue, or is it a testament to their all-around game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
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