Nov. 2, 2015

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina men’s basketball team will honor the nine victims of the Emanuel AME Church shooting at halftime of the team’s free admission exhibition contest versus Allen University on Nov. 8, Gamecock head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin announced on Monday.

“Our state lost nine heroes in the shooting in Charleston last June, including alums from both South Carolina and Allen University,” Martin said. “I had the privilege of meeting Senator Clementa Pinckney, who beamed with pride for his state, and who I know to have been one of Allen’s proud alums. Our state rallied around Charleston this summer, and we are honored to welcome families who lost their loved ones to Columbia this weekend.”

Nine people were killed during a Bible study session at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on June 17, 2015. Those victims were Senator and Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Cynthia Hurd, Tywanza Sanders, Rev. Sharonda Singleton, Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance and Myra Thompson.

Game time for the exhibition is set for 4 p.m. ET, at Colonial Life Arena. Admission is free to the contest, which will be broadcast on SEC Network +.