Marcus Johnson went off for 20 points, six assists, and five steals as South Carolina absolutely blew out Saint Peter’s, 77-41, on Tuesday night. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement. The Gamecocks are now 3-0, making it their second consecutive season starting with three straight victories. For head coach Lamont Paris, it’s the third time in his five years at the helm they’ve hit this early mark. This team is showing up, and they’re not messing around.
Gamecocks Are Rolling Early
South Carolina’s offense looked sharp, shooting 47% overall from the field. What really got things humming, though, was their incredible 60% mark from beyond the arc. When you’re knocking down threes like that, good luck trying to keep up. They also made the most of their trips to the line, sinking 26 of 34 free throws. It wasn’t just Johnson doing all the work, either. Aleksas Bieliauskas dropped 11 points, with a solid nine of those coming in the first half, setting the tone early. Davion Hannah chipped in with 10 points and pulled down six rebounds, showing that this squad has multiple threats. They’re playing complete basketball, and the results speak for themselves.
Total Domination From Start to Finish
From the jump, South Carolina seized control. They rattled off multiple 9-0 runs in the first half alone, creating separation that Saint Peter’s just couldn’t overcome. Holding the Peacocks to a measly 17 points in the first half, the Gamecocks strolled into halftime with a commanding 20-point lead. Did they ease up in the second? Nope. They opened the second half with an 11-0 run, then added two more 9-0 runs just for good measure. Saint Peter’s, unfortunately, had a rough night, struggling from the field with a 26% shooting clip and a dismal 18% from deep. Xavier Thomas led the Peacocks with 15 points, and Bryce Eaton added 10, but it wasn’t nearly enough to challenge South Carolina’s relentless attack.
This huge win evens up the historical series record at one game apiece, a real throwback to January 16, 1990, when Saint Peter’s snagged a 57-56 win in Jersey City. Talk about waiting for revenge! Saint Peter’s hits the road next, heading to UMass Lowell on Tuesday. South Carolina stays home, hosting Gardner-Webb on Saturday for their fourth straight home game. Can they keep this perfect streak alive? You know we’ll be watching.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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