5 key takeaways from South Carolina’s first SEC victory over Texas

South Carolina Ends 13-Game Losing Streak with Statement Win Over Texas

In a much-needed victory, South Carolina not only snapped its 13-game losing streak but did so with authority, dominating Texas from start to finish in an 84-69 win at Colonial Life Arena. This win marks their first victory since Dec. 30, 2024, when they defeated Presbyterian, and their first SEC victory since March 9, 2024, when they edged out Mississippi State.

Here are the key takeaways from South Carolina’s triumph:

A Long Road to Redemption

Before Saturday’s win, South Carolina had endured weeks of disappointment, with six of their 13 losses coming by five points or fewer. While most games ended in blowouts, this stretch could have ended much sooner. Still, despite struggling through a tough season, the Gamecocks managed to avoid joining the history books for all the wrong reasons. With this win, they ensure they won’t join the ranks of the 0-18 SEC teams, joining the 2018-19 Vanderbilt and 2023-24 Missouri squads. Even a 1-17 SEC record is far more acceptable than a winless season.

A Victory That Meant Everything

It was clear from the final buzzer that the win meant a lot to everyone involved with the program. The players and coaches could finally breathe a sigh of relief. Collin Murray-Boyles summed it up perfectly, calling the win a “sigh of relief.” Coach Lamont Paris echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the challenges of facing a conference that is on track to go down as one of the best seasons in college basketball history. Despite the constant adversity, this group never quit. If they had, Saturday’s victory against Texas would have been impossible.

Dominance in the First Half

South Carolina’s victory was largely secured by their stellar first-half performance. The Gamecocks held Texas to just 22 points on 8-of-29 shooting, forcing six turnovers. South Carolina, on the other hand, only committed two turnovers by halftime, a remarkable improvement given their struggles with ball control all season. They also took full advantage of free throws, going 14-for-16 in the first 20 minutes, benefiting from Texas entering the bonus late in the half.

Offensively, the Gamecocks shot 38.7% from the field, but they were more than efficient with the ball. By halftime, they had built an 18-point lead, and despite the second half still being up for grabs, it never truly felt like they were in danger of losing.

Collin Murray-Boyles Takes Control

In a moment reminiscent of Thanos declaring “Fine, I’ll do it myself” in Avengers: Age of Ultron, Murray-Boyles took the reins in this game. The sophomore forward delivered a standout performance, finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds in just 27 minutes before fouling out. His first-half performance, which included 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting, set the tone for the entire game.

Coach Paris had been encouraging Murray-Boyles to take more shots and become more aggressive, something the sophomore finally embraced on Saturday. Along with his offensive contribution, Murray-Boyles was also a standout defensively, posting three highlight-reel blocks. If South Carolina hopes to make this win the first step toward more success, the key will be making sure Murray-Boyles continues to take control of games like he did against Texas.

Limiting Turnovers Was Key

A major problem for South Carolina this season has been turnovers. In their previous game against LSU, they turned the ball over 18 times, a mistake-ridden performance that kept them from competing. However, in this game, the Gamecocks were much more disciplined, limiting themselves to just eight turnovers. This made all the difference in ensuring a smooth flow to the game. Basketball is far easier to play when you can limit mistakes, and South Carolina did just that, showcasing how crucial this aspect was in their victory over Texas.

In conclusion, South Carolina’s dominant performance against Texas wasn’t just a win on the scoreboard but a critical moment for the team to prove that they still have fight in them. With Collin Murray-Boyles leading the charge, they now have the potential to build off this victory, continuing to turn the season around.