Nov. 5, 2017

Men’s Basketball vs. Virginia Tech

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COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina was defeated 86-67 by Virginia Tech in the team’s Hoops 4 Hurricane Relief exhibition on Sunday afternoon at Colonial Life Arena. Redshirt junior point guard Hassani Gravett led the Gamecocks with 15 points, scoring 13 in the second half.

The Hokies jumped out to a 9-7 lead at the first media timeout after starting the game 4-for-7 from the field. After trailing 12-7, Carolina battled back to take 15-14 lead as freshman Felipe Haase knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 13:24 remaining in the opening half. The Gamecocks knocked down three-straight shots en route to their first lead of the game.

Carolina remained ahead by a point, 19-18, with 11:15 to go. The Hokies went to a smaller lineup and were able to retake the lead 33-28 with just over two minutes left in the first half, thanks to a 14-2 advantage in fast break points. Tech remained ahead by six, 36-30, as the teams headed to the locker room for halftime. Haase (9) and freshman Justin Minaya (7) led the Gamecocks in the opening 20 minutes, combining for 16 points.

In the second half, Carolina pulled within two, but the Hokies went up 50-43 at the under 12 media timeout. Two 3s by Tech pushed the lead to double digits for the first time, 57-45, with just under 10 minutes to play.

After trailing by 13 with just over 6 minutes to go, the Gamecocks pulled within seven, 69-62, after Gravett knocked down a long-ball with 4:57 remaining in the game. A 9-0 run by the Hokies halted the comeback, as they remained in front by double digits the rest of the way.

KEY STAT

Virginia Tech held a 24-5 advantage in fast break points with a 44-32 edge in the paint. The Hokies also forced 17 turnovers.

NOTABLE

• The exhibition event raised funds for those impacted by the recent storms, as net proceeds from the game will support hurricane relief efforts in Texas, South Florida and Puerto Rico.
• Gamecocks head coach Frank Martin and Hokies head coach Buzz Williams, accompanied by their families, each presented checks for $5,000 to go towards relief for hurricane victims.
• Players and staff from last year’s magical March Madness run were presented with commemorative Final Four rings pregame by University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides, his wife Patricia, and athletics director Ray Tanner.
• South Carolina outrebounded Virginia Tech 41-38.
• Freshman Felipe Haase led the team with seven boards and played a game-high 34 minutes.
• Graduate transfer Wesley Myers scored 11 points off the bench and pulled down five rebounds. He had a game-high four steals with two in each half.

UP NEXT

South Carolina officially begins the 2017-18 campaign next Friday, Nov. 10, when it travels to face Wofford in Spartanburg. The Terriers were picked to finish fifth (media) in the Preaseason Southern Conference Poll, and junior forward Cameron Jackson and junior guard Fletcher Magee were selected to the Preseason All-SoCon Team. Wofford is led by head coach Mike Young in his 16th season.