Kory Mincy scored 10 consecutive points in the second half to help lift South Carolina to a 78-68 victory over visiting Southeast Missouri State on Sunday in Columbia, S.C.
The Gamecocks led 33-32 at halftime and had traded baskets with SEMO in the first minute of the second half before Mincy shifted the game with his run. The George Mason transfer hit a layup, drilled a pair of 3-point shots and made another layup to put the Gamecocks up 46-34 with 14:56 to play.
The Redhawks trimmed the lead to four on a 3-pointer from Fontaine Williams Jr. with 6:37 remaining but got no closer.
South Carolina (2-0) leaned on Mincy, who finished with 19 points overall, 15 after halftime. He shot 6-for-11 from the field and added four rebounds and three steals in 33 minutes.
The Gamecocks also benefitted from a big game by Argentine forward Juan Fernandez, who had 18 points and led the team with seven rebounds and four blocks. The 6-11 big transferred from Spain’s professional Liga ACB.
Jakub Necas notched 12 points and six rebounds, and Marcus Johnson added 10 points for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina outrebounded SEMO 40-24 and made 30 of 40 free throw attempts (75 percent). Fernandez alone was 10-for-13 from the line. SEMO shot 15-for-22 (68.2 percent) from the line.
Williams led SEMO (2-1) with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting, including 3-for-3 from 3-point range. He also had five rebounds. Marqueas Bell added 13 points.
The Redhawks’ biggest lead was 20-17 in the first half. They took a 34-33 lead on the first basket of the second half before Mincy’s game-altering run.
South Carolina will play next on Wednesday when it hosts Saint Peter’s. SEMO will return to action on Friday at Middle Tennessee State.