South Carolina Upsets No. 5 Tennessee in Close Battle
In a thrilling Southeastern Conference matchup, the South Carolina Gamecocks pulled off an impressive upset, defeating the fifth-ranked Tennessee Volunteers with a final score of 63-59. Ta'Lon Cooper emerged as the hero of the night, hitting a critical 3-pointer with just 40 seconds remaining and finishing with 18 points. B.J. Mack also played a significant role, contributing 16 points to secure the Gamecocks' victory.
South Carolina has demonstrated their prowess against highly-ranked opponents this season, as they previously defeated No. 10 Kentucky on January 23. With this win over Tennessee, the Gamecocks have proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC. Coach Lamont Paris expressed his pride in his team, citing their confidence and the respect they have earned from their opponents.
This victory holds particular significance for South Carolina, as it marks their first road win against a top-5 team since 1997. Paris attributed their success to executing their game plan, focusing on blocking out and rebounding while taking care of the ball. The Gamecocks were able to limit Tennessee's offense, resulting in the Volunteers' lowest point total of the season.
Dalton Knecht led the scoring for the Volunteers with an impressive 31 points, 12 of which came in the final three minutes of the game. Santiago Vescovi added 10 points to Tennessee's effort. Despite their individual performances, the team struggled offensively and failed to capitalize on opportunities, missing 10 layups and shooting just 12 of 20 from the free-throw line.
Tennessee coach Rick Barnes expressed his frustration with his team's offensive struggles and emphasized the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities. The Volunteers shot 36% from the field and a meager 24% from beyond the arc. Barnes called attention to their missed layups and poor free-throw shooting as significant factors contributing to their defeat.
The game remained tightly contested throughout, with South Carolina holding a slim three-point lead with 30 seconds left. Myles Stute, who scored 13 points for the Gamecocks, hit two crucial free throws to extend their lead. Knecht answered back with a quick three-pointer to trim the deficit to two points. However, Stute once again stepped up, sinking two free throws with only 4 seconds remaining to secure the win for South Carolina.
Both teams faced shooting challenges, but South Carolina displayed better accuracy from beyond the arc, hitting 10 of 29 three-point attempts. Their overall field goal percentage was 34%. Tennessee, on the other hand, struggled with their shooting, converting only 36% of their field goal attempts and 24% of their three-point shots.
South Carolina controlled the game's tempo in the first half, taking a 30-26 lead into halftime. Cooper and Mack led the way for the Gamecocks, scoring 10 and 9 points respectively. Knecht was the leading scorer for Tennessee in the first half, tallying 13 points. The Gamecocks outrebounded the Volunteers 21-19 in the first half and limited their opponents to a 36% shooting percentage.
This victory proves to be another milestone for South Carolina's young team, which features nine new players. After a challenging 11-21 season last year, the Gamecocks have experienced a remarkable turnaround under Coach Paris. The team's strong start to the season suggests that they are poised to continue their success.
The loss for Tennessee halted their 13-game winning streak at home, with 11 of those victories coming this season. Santiago Vescovi set a program record by making his 130th start for the Volunteers.
Looking ahead, South Carolina will have an opportunity for revenge when they host Georgia on Saturday. The Bulldogs previously defeated the Gamecocks by five points on January 16. Meanwhile, the Volunteers face another tough challenge as they visit No. 10 Kentucky on the same day.
This impressive upset victory for South Carolina over Tennessee serves as a testament to the Gamecocks' growth and competitiveness this season. As the SEC conference unfolds, both teams will aim to continue their success and secure their positions among the conference's elite.
