Thomas scores 18, South Carolina dominates second half in 74-48 triumph over Radford

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Jamarii Thomas knocked down four 3-pointers and scored 18 points to help power South Carolina to a 74-48 win over Radford on Sunday.

The Gamecocks, coming off a 91-88 win over No. 25 Clemson, won their sixth straight and seventh in eight games at home.

Radford held a 36-30 lead at intermission and Jonas Sirtautas’ jumper gave the Highlanders a 40-35 lead with 16:34 left but South Carolina closed the game on a 39-8 run.

South Carolina converted 25 of 27 from the free throw line but was 20 of 51 from the field (39.2%), including 9 of 30 from beyond the arc. Collin Murray-Boyles had 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds with three assists, a steal and four blocked shots. Nick Pringle went 10-for-10 at the line and pulled down eight rebounds with four assists.

TJ NeSmith came off the bench to hit 5 of 8 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the free throw line to lead Radford (10-5). Jarvis Moss added 10 points. The Highlanders went to the free throw line just 13 times, converting 8, and were outrebounded 42-24, managing just six rebounds off the offensive glass.

South Carolina will host Presbyterian on Dec. 30 in its final nonconference game.

KEY STATS

• The Gamecocks finished the game on a 23-2 run the final 10:06, holding the Highlanders to just 12 points the final 20 minutes, the lowest points in a half allowed in the Lamont Paris era in Columbia.
• A game after making 24 free throws (then the most in the Paris era), Carolina one-upped that going 25-of-27 (92.6%) at the free throw line. It’s the first time since Feb. 22, 2011 (team went 20-of-22 (90.9%) in 79-73 win over Ole Miss) the Gamecocks have made 20 or more free throws and shot above 90.0% at the foul line in a game.

NOTABLES

• Graduated forward Nick Pringle went a perfect 10-for-10 at the charity stripe today. The 10 makes were a career-high for the Seabrook, S.C., native. He’s the first Gamecock since Gregory “GG” Jackson II (2/28/23 at Mississippi State) to make 10 or more free throws in a game without a miss.
• Over the last 10 games, Pringle is 39-of-48 (81.3%) at the free throw line. He finished the game today with 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists (led team) and a block.
• Preseason All-SEC sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles had his 11^th game in double-figures this season, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, four blocks (tied career high), three assists and a steal.
• Senior guard Jamarii Thomas led the team with 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from behind the arc. The team improves to 3-0 this season when he makes four or more shots from behind the arc.
• Carolina has won six-straight games, marking the longest winning streak for the team since it won seven-straight in SEC play last season. The Gamecocks have won seven-straight at home dating back to a win over SC State on Nov. 8.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks will have a brief three-day break for Christmas before returning to practice on Dec. 26. Carolina then faces Presbyterian (7-7, 0-0 Big South) on Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. (ET) in the non-con finale with John Schriffen (pxp) and Brandon Johnson (analyst) on the call for the SEC Network broadcast.

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