SOUTH CAROLINA MEN’S BASKETBALL
South Carolina got back in the win column with a 74-65 win over George Washington.
The Gamecocks came out on fire, making their first six shots and eight of their first nine as part of a 17-0 run. Even as they cooled off a little, defensively, they stifled the Colonials, holding them to 2-15 and later 3-24 shooting to lead by as much as 19.
George Washington patiently chipped away, And Jameer Nelson, Jr. turned a steal near midcourt into a breakaway dunk to cap an 11-1 run. That trimmed the lead to nine and Frank Martin called a timeout. Out of the timeout, Justin Minaya drilled a three-pointer to stymie the run, but South Carolina would have to work to maintain the lead.
South Carolina struggled to put away George Washington in the second half. They stretched the lead to 17 twice, but settling for too many jump shots slowed down the offense. Meanwhile, George Washington got hot from three. Jamison Battle made consecutive threes to give George Washington life.
“We’ve got to eliminate the pouting,” Frank Martin said. “We had the game completely in control. Jermaine misses a three to make it 20. Instead of running back we jog back because we’re pouting.”
Battle hit another three a couple minutes later to cut the lead to nine. It was Battle’s sixth and final three. Showing signs of fatigue, his shots the rest of the game came up short. Wildens Leveque and Jair Bolden made baskets. After a pair of George Washington free throws, Jermain Couisnard ran a beautiful pick and roll that ended with a layup for Kotsar. Although South Carolina couldn’t get stops down the stretch, it was able to answer the baskets to secure the win.
For the game South Carolina shot 52.6 percent and held George Washington to 33.3 percent. George Washington was 8-36 from three, while South Carolina was 3-14. South Carolina was also just 11-18 from the foul line.
“Offensively we’re a work in progress, but eventually those guys are going to make threes,” Martin said. “We’re scoring 74, 70, always around that number, without making threes and missing free throws.”
Kotsar finished with 17 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks, and has scored in double figures in five straight games, the longest stretch of his career.
“As a senior I feel like I need to be there for the team every night,” Kotsar said. “I’m feeling more confident, and my teammates are helping me with that.”
AJ Lawson added 14 points, but committed five turnovers. Minaya had a typical game for him, with eight points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Couisnard had 12 points and four assists off the bench. Jair Bolden, playing against his former team, seemed extra aggressive early, and finished with 12 points and four rebounds.
“I’m always determined to have a good game, but it was pretty fun to play against those guys,” Bolden said. “All the juniors and seniors, I went to war with those guys, so it was fun to play against them and I definitely wanted to get a win.”
Notes:
Armel Potter led “As a senior I feel like I need to be there for the team every night,” Kotsar said. “I’m feeling more confident, and my teammates are helping me with that.” with 22 points, his fourth-straight 20-point game. … Battle finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. 16 of his 18 shot attempts were from three. … South Carolina was plus-14 rebounding. … Alanzo Frink played just four minutes, grabbing four rebounds but collecting three fouls. … Announced attendance was 9,843. … South Carolina’s next game is December 4 at UMass.
