The South Carolina Gamecocks men's basketball team suffered a 65-60 overtime loss to the No. 14 Mississippi State Bulldogs today. The game was tightly contested, but the Gamecocks' struggles to close out games continued in heartbreaking fashion.
FINAL: #14/14 Mississippi State wins, 65-60, in overtime. Next up is Georgia on Tuesday at 7 p.m. (ET) on SEC Network. #Gamecocks🐔🏀 // #ForeverToThee
— Gamecock Men's Basketball (@GamecockMBB) January 25, 2025
Shooting inefficiency plagued the Gamecocks, as they only managed 29.3% from the field (17-of-58) compared to Mississippi State's 41.8% (23-of-55). From beyond the arc, South Carolina hit just 4-of-20 (20%), trailing slightly behind the Bulldogs' 6-of-26 (23.1%). However, the Gamecocks capitalized at the free throw line, converting 22-of-29 attempts (75.9%) compared to Mississippi State's 13-of-18 (72.2%).
South Carolina excelled in rebounding, recording a dominant 45 boards compared to the Bulldogs' 30, with a staggering 21 offensive rebounds that provided second-chance opportunities. However, ball control remained an issue for both teams. The Gamecocks turned the ball over 19 times, with Mississippi State close behind at 17. Both teams scored 18 points off turnovers, keeping the game tightly contested.
Mississippi State's ability to move the ball effectively was evident with 15 assists to South Carolina's 8. Defensively, South Carolina led with 13 steals, compared to 10 by the Bulldogs, but Mississippi State's seven blocked shots highlighted their defensive strength. Mississippi State also controlled the paint, scoring 28 points inside compared to South Carolina's 22.
Though the Gamecocks' rebounding advantage kept them in the game, Mississippi State's balanced scoring, defense, and the ability to convert key opportunities ultimately sealed the win. This loss dropped South Carolina to a .500 record, emphasizing areas they need to improve, particularly shooting efficiency and ball security, as they continue their SEC play.
This defeat extends South Carolina's losing streak to seven games, keeping them winless in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play with a 0-7 record. Their overall season record now stands at 10-10.
The Gamecocks will look to rebound in their next game against the Georgia Bulldogs on January 28.