Kory Mincy Leads South Carolina to 78-68 Win Over SEMO

Kory Mincy scored 10 of his 19 points during a second-half run to lift South Carolina to a 78-68 victory over Southeast Missouri State on Sunday in Columbia, S.C.

The win brings the Gamecocks to a 2-0 record early in the season. Mincy shot 6 of 11 from the floor, hit two 3-pointers, and went 5 of 6 at the free-throw line while collecting three steals.

Mincy capped off a 13-0 run that erased a one-point deficit and pushed the South Carolina lead out to 46-34. Teammate Juan Fernandez contributed 18 points, converting 10 of his 13 attempts at the foul line.

Kory Mincy, South Carolina MBB knock down SEMO. Three things we learned https://t.co/OlruxdLScg

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Jakub Necas chipped in 12 points for the Gamecocks, and freshman Marcus Johnson added 10 points off the bench. For Southeast Missouri State, which fell to 2-1, Fontaine Williams Jr. led the scoring with 18 points by hitting all three of his 3-point attempts, while Marqueas Bell added 13 points.

The Redhawks built a 20-17 lead midway through the first half after Landren Blocker sank a 3-pointer with 6:54 remaining. Fernandez answered with a three-point play, and Necas finished an 8-0 surge with two free throws and a 3-pointer to put the Gamecocks ahead 25-20.

Blocker pushed SEMO back in front at 32-31 before Mincy hit a late basket to send South Carolina into halftime with a one-point advantage. Bell opened the second half with a score for the Redhawks, but Mincy sparked the offense following a 3-pointer by Camden Heide to stretch the margin into double digits.

Williams hit a 3-pointer to narrow the gap to 59-55 with 6:37 left on the clock, but Necas answered from distance and Mincy followed with a layup. The Gamecocks maintained a double-digit lead from there.

Up next, Southeast Missouri State travels to face Middle Tennessee on Friday, while South Carolina hosts Saint Peter’s on Wednesday.