South Carolina Falls to No. 14 Missouri Despite Strong Showing from Collin Murray-Boyles
In Columbia, Missouri, the South Carolina Gamecocks faced a tough challenge against No. 14 Missouri, suffering a 101-71 loss on Tuesday night. Despite the defeat, sophomore forward Collin Murray-Boyles delivered a standout performance, matching his season-high with 27 points in just 29 minutes. He was nearly flawless, shooting 10-of-11 from the field and a perfect 7-for-7 from the free-throw line. This marked his ninth 20-point game of the season, placing him eighth in the Southeastern Conference in that category.
Senior transfer Jamarii Thomas also made an impact, adding 17 points for South Carolina. However, the Gamecocks struggled on defense, allowing Missouri to shoot 63.5% from the field and 57.9% from three-point range.
Key Takeaways
- South Carolina: The Gamecocks had difficulty keeping pace with Missouri’s offensive firepower, especially from deep. Missouri’s three-point shooting proved overwhelming, while South Carolina—who entered the game shooting just 29.5% from beyond the arc—failed to respond effectively.
- Missouri: The Tigers displayed elite efficiency, shooting 63.5% overall and 11-of-19 from three. They also significantly improved ball security, committing just seven turnovers after recording 18 in their previous game against Arkansas.
Pivotal Moment
Caleb Grill sparked a decisive 16-4 first-half run, pouring in **12 points—including 10 straight—**while Jacob Crews knocked down two clutch threes. The surge extended Missouri’s lead to 27-13 with 10:40 left in the first half, putting South Carolina in a deep hole early.
Notable Statistic
For the first time since 1989, when they were part of the Big 8 Conference, Missouri has scored at least 80 points in five consecutive conference games.
What’s Next?
South Carolina looks to bounce back at home against Arkansas, while Missouri will hit the road to take on Vanderbilt this Saturday.
