Murray-Boyles and No. 15/20 South Carolina Triumph Over Vanderbilt with a 75-60 Victory
In Columbia, South Carolina, Collin Murray-Boyles, the 6-foot-7 freshman, showcased a stellar performance scoring a career-high 31 points, leading No. 15 South Carolina to a triumphant 75-60 victory over Vanderbilt on Saturday. This outstanding victory marks the 21st success for the Gamecocks, a significant turn of events after suffering 21 losses in the previous season.
Gamecocks Gain Momentum in the Second Half
In the engaging matchup, the Gamecocks (21-3, 9-2 Southeastern Conference) took command of the game in the second half with a decisive 24-10 run. During the transformative run, Murray-Boyles contributed a whopping 12 points along with a mighty block that boosted the team spirit and fueled their momentum towards a seven-game winning streak.
In an electrifying moment during the early second half, Murray-Boyles chased down Vanderbilt guard Ezra Manjon who appeared to have a clear path towards the basket. In a surprising turn of events, Murray-Boyles pinned the attempted shot against the backboard, sending the crowd into a frenzy of excitement.
Vanderbilt’s Struggle Continues
The Commodores (6-17, 1-9) entered the game ranking at the bottom of the league in points per game and their field-goal percentage. Despite their patient approach against South Carolina’s intense defense, Vanderbilt still struggled to find many opportunities. They often let the shot clock wane to under five seconds before attempting a shot.
By half-time, Vanderbilt gained some ground with a 14-6 run taking the lead 32-28. However, South Carolina soon regained control with a dominant display led by Murray-Boyles, who made 14 out of 17 shots during the game. His final shot was a captivating, rim-rattling dunk in the final minute of play. Also, contributing significantly to the Gamecocks’ offensive effort was B.J. Mack who hit five 3-pointers finishing with 18 points. Tyrin Lawrence led Vanderbilt with 15 points.
Notable Performances
South Carolina’s victory also boasted several standout performances. Freshman forward Collin Murray-Boyles with 31 points on 14-of-17 shooting led the team in rebounds. Murray-Boyles’ exceptional performance marks the first 30-point game by a Gamecock since Gregory “GG” Jackson II scored 30 vs. No. 16/17 on Jan. 21, 2023.
Graduate forward B.J. Mack also put on a show, finishing with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting and six boards. Meanwhile, graduate guard Ta’Lon Cooper did an excellent job facilitating the offense by dishing out seven assists without committing any turnovers.
Up Next
The victorious Gamecocks (21-3, 9-2 SEC) are now gearing up to confront No. 12/11 Auburn (19-4, 8-2 SEC) in a top-25 battle of teams tied atop the SEC standings. The matchup promises to be a thrilling contest and a significant test for the triumphant Gamecocks.
