South Carolina couldn’t nmiss in the first half and got balanced scoring from several players in a 90-64 rout of Vanderbilt.
The game was dominated by the officials, who called a tight game on the perimeter, but an inconsistent game in the paint. There were 52 total fouls called in the game, including 29 in the first half, and 59 free throws attempted. Maik Kotsar picked up his second foul four minutes into the game, and Keyshawn Bryant, returning from a head injury, picked up his second a couple minutes later. In all, nine Gamecocks had two fouls in the first half, forcing Frank Martin to substitute liberally, and the role players responded.
South Carolina was shooting nearly 70 percent late in the first half, despite relying on unexpected players like Jaylin McCreary, Alanzo Frink, and Trae Hannibal to create offense. It wasn’t always pretty due to the fouls, but they answered the call. Even in the second half, when the shooting was a more reasonable 48 percent, it was the “other guys” turning the game into a blowout.
South Carolina finished the game shooting 54 percent, including 39 percent from three and 17-24 from the line. AJ Lawson, as expected, had 14 points, but after that it was unexpected scorers. Frink had a career-high 13 points, McCreary finished with a career-high 11 points and five rebounds, and Hannibal had a career-high five assists. Hannibal had four points on two highlight reel baskets, but it was the rest of his game that was more impressive. Hannibal tied his career-highs with four rebounds and three steals, and dished out a career-high five assists with no turnovers, not bad for a guy who came into the game with just 11 assists all season and one in SEC games.
“He’s not there yet where I can just turn him loose and say let’s go,” Martin said. “He got beat a couple of times, but he fought. My whole thing is fight, don’t give in, and he fought. That’s what Trae does.”
Defensively, South Carolina held Vanderbilt to 33 percent shooting, including just 5-30 from three. South Carolina also dominated the glass, finishing plus-12 and with 15 second chance points off 11 offensive rebounds.
“It felt like there were six of them out there,” Jerry Stackhouse said. “They’re big and strong. Frank does a hell of a job with those guys. They played with a toughness and competitiveness that we aspire to get to.”
Justin Minaya, who had his second career double-double with 14 points and a career-high 12 rebounds, was especially effective on the offensive glass, with six offensive rebounds and eight second chance points.
“I just tried to come out and play with a lot of energy, get on the offensive glass and get myself some easy points and give us some good baskets,” Minaya said.
Jair Bolden also 13 points off the bench. Kotsar finished with two points and two rebounds in 11 minutes. Jermaine Couisnard had a quiet night with seven points and three assists in 18 minutes, and Bryant had seven points and four rebounds in 22 minutes.
Saban Lee led Vanderbilt with 17 points.
Notes:
South Carolina wore its 1970s-inspired throwbacks for the third time this season. The Gamecocks are now 2-1 when wearing them, having lost to Houston and beaten Kentucky. … Lawson did not start the second half. Bolden started in his place. … Surprisingly, the only player to foul out was Vanderbilt’s Scotty Pippen, Jr. … Stackhouse, who was a coach in the Toronto Raptors organization from 2015-18, said he knew Lawson a little from his time there. … Martin emptied the bench with two minutes left. Walk-on Mike Green made a three with 18 seconds left. The basket double his career scoring total and was the first three of his career (four games). … Stretching back to last season, Vanderbilt has lost 24 straight conference games, tying the record set by Sewanee. … Micaiah Henry played the final two minutes and grabbed one rebound but did not score. He still has one point for the season. … Announced attendance was 12,393. … South Carolina’s next game is Wednesday at Arkansas.
