South Carolina Basketball Drops Another Coference Game to Ole Miss

In what was a hard-fought contest, the South Carolina Gamecocks men’s basketball team faced yet another setback in their SEC schedule, falling to the Ole Miss Rebels by a score of 75-65. The loss not only adds another tally to South Carolina’s growing list of conference defeats but also raises concerns about the team’s consistency, execution, and ability to close out games. While the Gamecocks showed flashes of brilliance, they were ultimately undone by a combination of missed opportunities, poor shooting, and struggles on the defensive end.

For the Gamecocks, the defeat to Ole Miss is particularly frustrating, as the team has shown they are capable of competing with the best in the SEC but have struggled to put together a complete game. With the conference season nearing its midpoint, this loss raises the question: What is holding South Carolina back from taking that next step?

In this article, we will break down the key moments from the game, analyze the areas where South Carolina fell short, and explore the potential solutions as they look to regroup and finish the season strong. We’ll also examine the impact of the loss on the team’s standing within the conference and what it means for their chances of making a postseason run.

The Game: A Tale of Two Halves

First Half: Strong Start but Missed Opportunities

The Gamecocks entered the contest against Ole Miss with something to prove. They were coming off a tough road loss to Alabama and needed a win to keep their momentum alive. South Carolina started the game strong, executing early on both ends of the floor. G.G. Jackson, the freshman phenom, was particularly impressive in the opening minutes, scoring efficiently both in transition and in the half-court set. His ability to drive to the basket and finish through contact was evident early, and it looked like the Gamecocks might be able to build an early lead.

South Carolina’s defense was also a bright spot in the first half. The Gamecocks employed an aggressive man-to-man defense that disrupted Ole Miss’ offensive flow, forcing the Rebels into tough shots. Meechie Johnson Jr. and Keyshawn Bryant did an excellent job of limiting Ole Miss’ perimeter shooters, and South Carolina appeared to be on the verge of pulling away.

However, the Gamecocks could not fully capitalize on their defensive success. Despite holding Ole Miss to just 40% shooting in the first half, South Carolina had several missed opportunities on offense. The Gamecocks shot a disappointing 35% from the field in the opening frame and were unable to convert on several fast-break opportunities. Additionally, their shot selection was questionable at times, with several forced three-pointers and contested mid-range jumpers that missed the mark.

Missed free throws were another issue that cropped up for South Carolina. The Gamecocks went 4-of-10 from the free-throw line in the first half, leaving several points on the board that could have extended their lead. At the same time, Ole Miss capitalized on South Carolina’s missed chances and kept the game close.

Despite South Carolina’s offensive struggles, the Gamecocks maintained a slim lead heading into the break. However, the lack of a significant cushion left them vulnerable to Ole Miss’ second-half charge. South Carolina went into halftime up by only 39-36, a lead that felt precarious considering their inability to pull away despite having several chances to do so.

Key First-Half Stats

• G.G. Jackson: 12 points, 4 rebounds
• Meechie Johnson Jr.: 6 points, 3 assists
• Keyshawn Bryant: 5 points, 2 rebounds
• South Carolina Field Goal Percentage: 35%
• Ole Miss Field Goal Percentage: 40%
• South Carolina Free-Throw Percentage: 40% (4-10)
• Ole Miss Free-Throw Percentage: 78% (7-9)

Second Half: Ole Miss Takes Control

The second half saw Ole Miss assert themselves more effectively, taking advantage of South Carolina’s continued struggles. The Rebels came out of the locker room with renewed energy and quickly found their rhythm, largely due to the sharp shooting of Jarkel Joiner and the playmaking ability of Daeshun Ruffin.

Jarkel Joiner, Ole Miss’ leading scorer, began to take over the game early in the second half. Joiner scored 15 points in the second half alone, knocking down key jump shots and finishing at the rim. His ability to break down South Carolina’s defense and score in transition was crucial in swinging the momentum in Ole Miss’ favor. Joiner’s success on the offensive end forced South Carolina’s defenders to collapse, opening up opportunities for his teammates to get involved.

Meanwhile, Daeshun Ruffin was the catalyst for Ole Miss’ offensive sets. He found open shooters on the perimeter and attacked the basket when necessary, finishing with 8 assists in the game. Ruffin’s ability to control the tempo of the game helped Ole Miss settle into their offensive flow, and the Rebels slowly began to build a lead that South Carolina could not recover from.

On the other side of the ball, the Gamecocks struggled to adjust defensively. They gave up too many open looks from beyond the arc and were unable to close out on shooters effectively. Ole Miss made 6 three-pointers in the second half, many of which came during key moments when South Carolina was trying to claw their way back into the game. The Gamecocks’ defense, which had been a strength in the first half, became increasingly porous as the Rebels found their rhythm.

South Carolina’s offense also stagnated in the second half. G.G. Jackson continued to try and carry the load, but Ole Miss’ defense tightened up, and the Gamecocks’ reliance on isolation plays and forced shots became more evident. Meechie Johnson Jr., who had been a steady hand in the first half, struggled to find his shot, finishing with just 2 points after the break. Keyshawn Bryant also saw his production drop significantly in the second half, contributing only 4 points after scoring 5 in the first half.

Despite a late rally, where South Carolina cut the deficit to 5 points with under 3 minutes left, Ole Miss remained composed and made key free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. The Gamecocks’ inability to execute in critical moments once again cost them, and they ultimately fell by a margin of 75-65.

Key Second-Half Stats

• G.G. Jackson: 10 points, 4 rebounds
• Meechie Johnson Jr.: 2 points, 1 assist
• Keyshawn Bryant: 4 points, 2 rebounds
• Jarkel Joiner: 15 points, 3 assists
• Daeshun Ruffin: 2 points, 8 assists
• South Carolina Field Goal Percentage: 38%
• Ole Miss Field Goal Percentage: 47%
• South Carolina Free-Throw Percentage: 50% (6-12)
• Ole Miss Free-Throw Percentage: 85% (11-13)

Areas of Struggle for South Carolina

1. Inconsistent Shooting

One of the biggest issues for South Carolina throughout the game was their shooting inconsistency. While the Gamecocks did a decent job of getting good looks, especially in the first half, they simply couldn’t knock down enough of them when it mattered. As a team, South Carolina shot just 36% from the field for the game, a figure that is far too low for a team looking to compete at the highest level in the SEC.

G.G. Jackson, who has been one of the team’s most reliable scorers, struggled with his shot at times, and other players, like Meechie Johnson Jr. and Keyshawn Bryant, failed to pick up the slack when needed. South Carolina’s inability to hit shots—particularly from beyond the arc (where they shot just 2-of-12)—was a major factor in their inability to keep pace with Ole Miss in the second half.

2. Rebounding Woes

Another area where South Carolina struggled was on the glass. Despite having size and athleticism, the Gamecocks were out-rebounded by Ole Miss 36-29, including a 13-7 deficit on the offensive boards. South Carolina’s failure to secure defensive rebounds allowed Ole Miss to get multiple second-chance opportunities, contributing to the Rebels’ overall offensive efficiency.

Rebounding has been a key area of focus for Lamont Paris’s team all season, and the inability to control the glass in such a crucial game is a concerning trend for the Gamecocks.

3. Defensive Lapses

While South Carolina’s defense was effective at times, especially in the first half, it fell apart in the second half. Ole Miss was able to attack the rim with relative ease and knocked down key three-pointers when South Carolina’s defense left shooters open. The Gamecocks struggled to close out on the perimeter and allowed the Rebels to get into a rhythm offensively.

Coach Paris will need to address these defensive lapses, as consistency on that end of the floor is critical for South Carolina’s success moving forward.

What’s Next for South Carolina?

With the loss to Ole Miss, the Gamecocks drop to 4-7 in SEC play and find themselves with their backs against the wall as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.

They will need to rebound quickly and focus on areas like shooting efficiency, rebounding, and defensive consistency if they hope to get back into the postseason conversation.

G.G. Jackson will need to continue being the focal point of the offense, but he cannot do it alone. The Gamecocks will need Meechie Johnson Jr., Keyshawn Bryant, and the rest of the roster to step up and provide scoring support. If the team can improve in these key areas, they will still have a chance to turn things around before the SEC Tournament and hopefully earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

But if the Gamecocks continue to struggle with consistency, both offensively and defensively, their chances for a postseason berth will remain in jeopardy.