Gamecocks Fall to Mustangs in NCEA Quarterfinals

OCALA, FL – The 7-seeded Gamecocks (7-9) put up a fight against the 2-seeded SMU Mustangs (10-4), coming within two points at the half but ultimately falling to the reigning national champions 13-7.

FENCES
The Fences squad got things started for South Carolina, coming out victorious 3-2 in that battle. Natalie Jayne put up the first point of the day with her impressive 90-88 win over Augusta Iwasaki on Bentley, followed by sophomore Bella Primavera’s huge 16 point win on Tito, 76-61 over Hensley Humphries. Newcomer Grace Rabb followed suit, tallying an 82.17 on Henry to get the win over Hannah Hoch’s 39. The Mustangs took the remaining two points.

REINING
SMU took control on the Western front early, taking the event 4-1 against the Gamecocks. Senior Emilia Reutimann secured the lone point for South Carolina to prevent the sweep, taking her ride 69.67-67.33 on Britney against Shelby Clausen.

FLAT
The Mustangs took the first two points of the day on the Flat, but Natalie Jayne secured her second win of the day after taking down Hensely Humpries 80.67-76.33 on Diablo to undefeated across the Flat and Fences. SMU answered back with a close win over the Gamecocks’ Ellie Beard (80.33-83), but Sophie Mitchell ended things on a high after taking down Katy Merchant 73.67-71.33 on Caleb to earn another point for South Carolina.

HORSEMANSHIP
The meet ended in the Western pen, with freshman Jordyn Humbert earning her first collegiate Nationals point on Bob, 70.5-68.67 over Alexa Black. South Carolina saw impressive scores from Kiersten Beckner (73.67) and Carly Jenkins (72.83), but it was not enough to defeat their counterparts. Despite strong scores from the following Gamecocks and all five riders going penalty-free, the Mustangs took the remaining four points to secure the win.