Huge Second Half Lifts Gamecocks To Historic NCAA Win Over Marquette

March 18, 2017

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GREENVILLE, S.C. — It was a historic night for South Carolina men’s basketball, as the seventh-seeded Gamecocks (23-10) dominated the second half in a 93-73 win over 10th seeded Marquette (19-13) for the program’s first NCAA Tournament win since 1973. Senior Sindarius Thornwell (29) and sophomore PJ Dozier (21) combined for 50 points on 19-of-33 (58 percent) shooting.

The Golden Eagles opened up the game on an 8-0 run and led 11-5 at the first media timeout with 14:18 on the clock after a 3 by Jajuan Johnson. Marquette stayed in front by five, 19-14, at the next media stoppage with 11:58 to go. Thornwell and sophomore Chris Silva paved the way for the Gamecocks on offense early, scoring nine of the team’s first 14 points.

A 3-pointer gave the Golden Eagles their largest lead of the first half, 26-16, forcing head coach Frank Martin to take a timeout with 9:20 left. Marquette started the game 9-for-15 (60 percent) from two-point range and 5-for-8 (63 percent) from behind the arc.

Senior Duane Notice knocked down a deep 3-pointer, his second of the game, to bring Carolina within six, 28-22, at the under eight media timeout with 7:34 to go. Back-to-back dunks by Silva and Dozier brought Bon Secours Wellness Arena to its feet, pulling the Gamecocks within two, but MU pulled in front by eight, 34-26, with 5:18 to play. Carolina clawed back within four, 34-30, at the under four media timeout with 3:44 left in the half.

Dozier drove hard baseline and made a tough layup to pull the Gamecocks within two, 39-37, with just over a minute to go. Carolina got a stop and took possession with the shot clock off, but Thornwell missed from 3 with six seconds left and MU led 40-39 at halftime. Both teams shot 48 percent in the opening half as 13 different players scored on both sides.

Freshman Maik Kotsar scored the first four points of the second half to give the Gamecocks their first lead of the game, 43-40, with 18:30 remaining. The Golden Eagles answered with a 7-0 run to regain the lead, but Carolina answered with a 7-0 run of its own to retake the lead, 51-49, with 15:54 to play. It was a high-paced first 4:06 with both teams shooting it extremely well. The Gamecocks started 5-for-9 (56 percent) and MU was 4-for-6 (67 percent) to open the half.

With 14:53 on the clock, Carolina swung momentum their way after senior Justin McKie had a big steal and found Dozier ahead in transition for a breakaway dunk. The slam sent The Well into a frenzy and forced Marquette head coach Steve Wojciechowski to take a timeout, his team trailing 55-49.

Rakym Felder then gave the Gamecocks their biggest lead so far in the game, 82-69, forcing another Wojciechowski timeout with 4:40 to play.

Carolina kept its foot on the pedal as four more points from Thornwell pushed the lead to 86-69 at the final media timeout with 3:42 left in the game. The Gamecocks held MU scoreless for nearly four minutes and used a 17-2 run to take control en route to the 93-71 victory. Carolina ended the game 7-for-7 from the field.

Notice and Silva joined Thornwell and Dozier in double figures with 10 each. Kotsar and Felder each had seven for the Gamecocks, who shot a scorching 56 percent (20-of-36) in the second half. Felder and McKie combined for 12 of the team’s 14 bench points.

KEY STATS

The Carolina defense held MU’s potent offense in check for much of the second half and down the stretch, as the Golden Eagles finished 2-for-10 in the game’s final minutes. Carolina forced 12 of its 18 turnovers in the second half, thanks to stellar perimeter defense and ball pressure, fueled by senior Duane Notice.

NOTABLE

• Thornwell finished with 11 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season (12th career). He pulled down seven offensive rebounds, as Carolina held a 13-6 edge in the category.
• Thornwell’s 10 made field goals match a career high, which he previously set earlier this season vs. Arkansas (Feb. 15).
• Dozier’s 21 points are his most since scoring 21 in consecutive outings vs. Georgia and Alabama in February.
• The team’s 35 made field goals Friday night tied for the third most ever in the Frank Martin era at South Carolina.
• The Gamecocks assisted on nearly 50 percent of their baskets, logging 17 assists.
• Carolina’s 93 points are the most all-time in program history in a single NCAA Tournament game. The Gamecocks scored 90 three times from 1971-73 in NCAA play.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks now face second-seeded Duke (28-8) in the Round of 32 on Sunday night. Tipoff is set for approximately 8:45 p.m. ET in Greenville on TNT. The Blue Devils routed 15th-seeded Troy 87-65 in the game prior to Carolina Friday evening.

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