
Taylor IV Leads No. 13/15 Aggies Past Gamecocks, 76-72
South Carolina Athletics
Collin-Murray Boyles went 11-of-16 (68.8%) from the floor, scoring 22 points to lead South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Wade Taylor IV had 25 points and tied his career high with seven 3-pointers as No. 13 Texas A&M held off South Carolina 76-72 on Saturday night.
The Aggies (17-5, 6-3 Southeastern Conference) looked like they had this one going away after Taylor’s sixth 3 early in the second half gave them a 49-36 lead. But the Gamecocks scored the next 11 points to tighten things up.
South Carolina was still down just 74-72 after Collin Murray-Boyles’ bucket with 1.8 seconds left.
But A&M’s Henry Coleman III followed with two free throws to end things.
Taylor matched his best showing from outside, set last March in an NCAA Tournament win over Nebraska.
Murray-Boyles had 22 points to lead the Gamecocks (10-12, 0-9).
KEY STATS
- Texas A&M came into tonight shooting 30.7% (146-of-476) overall and 28.3% (53-of-187) in SEC play as a team from behind the arc. The Aggies made 11 3s tonight, including nine in the first half, going 11-of-23 (47.8%) from behind the arc.
- A&M also got to the free throw line with 30 attempts (21 made FTs) to Carolina’s 12.
NOTABLES
- Sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points, his team-leading sixth 20-point game of the season. The SEC’s field goal percentage leader had another efficient night from the floor, going 11-of-16 (68.8 percent) from the floor. His 11 made field goals were a season-high and it’s the fifth time in his career he’s had double-digit made field goals.
- Murray-Boyles also led the team tonight in rebounds (7), assists (6), blocks (2) and steals (2).
- Senior transfer guard Jamarii Thomas made his first start since Jan. 8 against No. 5/5 Alabama. He hit a trio of 3s and finished with 15 points, five rebounds, five assists and two steals.
- Sophomore guard Morris Ugusuk gave the Gamecocks a lift off the bench with 12 points thanks to four 3s, which all came in the second half.
- The Gamecocks matched their season high with 12 made 3s tonight. Carolina entered the game 4-0 this season when it has made 10 or more 3s.
UP NEXT
South Carolina is off in the midweek before a trip to Rupp Arena to face No. 12/12 Kentucky (15-6, 4-4 SEC) next Saturday. The Gamecocks won 71-68 in the historic building on Jan. 10, 2023 in Lamont Paris’ first season. He became just the third head coach in program history to win at UK.
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