Imagine starting a basketball game by missing your first 19 three-point attempts. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, right? But that's exactly what happened to the South Carolina Gamecocks in their December 13, 2025, matchup against The Citadel. And yet, they still managed to pull off a 71-55 victory. How? Let’s dive into this thrilling game recap and uncover the turning points that saved the day for the Gamecocks.
The Gamecocks’ slow start from beyond the arc was nothing short of frustrating. It wasn’t until Myles Stute finally sank a three-pointer with just 9:20 left in the game that the drought ended. And this is the part most people miss: Meechie Johnson, who scored 14 of his 19 points in the second half, became the catalyst for South Carolina’s comeback. Alongside Grant Polk, Johnson hit back-to-back threes that gave the Gamecocks a 55-47 lead with less than three minutes to go. Talk about clutch!
Johnson’s three-point play, followed by Hayden Assemian’s basket, sealed the deal, stretching the lead to 11 points with 4:24 remaining. Meanwhile, Mike Sharavjamts chipped in 14 points, and Kobe Knox added 12, helping South Carolina improve to a 7-3 record. Despite their abysmal 3-point shooting (3 of 23), the Gamecocks shot 42% overall and dominated the final 10 minutes, making 9 of 14 field goals.
On the other side, The Citadel’s Carter Kingsbury led the Bulldogs with 18 points, shooting 8 of 14 from the field. But the Bulldogs struggled mightily, especially from deep, hitting just 2 of 19 three-pointers (11%). Their free-throw shooting wasn’t much better, with only 11 of 20 attempts (55%) finding the net. The loss dropped The Citadel to 3-8, with a winless 0-8 record against Division-I opponents this season.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Was South Carolina’s victory a testament to their resilience, or did The Citadel simply crumble under pressure? The Gamecocks’ ability to overcome their cold start is impressive, but their reliance on late-game heroics raises questions about consistency. What do you think? Is this a sign of a team with championship potential, or are they skating on thin ice?
Looking ahead, The Citadel will aim to bounce back when they face Charleston on Wednesday, while South Carolina heads to Clemson on Tuesday. Will the Gamecocks maintain their momentum, or will their shooting woes catch up with them? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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