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South Carolina won just its second SEC game of the season on Saturday, knocking off Arkansas in blowout fashion.
Led by a career-high 35 points from Collin Murray-Boyles, the Gamecocks (12-17, 2-14 SEC) jumped all over the Razorbacks (17-12, 6-10 SEC) early and never let off the gas, cruising to a 72-53 victory.
The final margin, though significant, might even be a tad misleading. Arkansas had just 3 points after more than 10 minutes of play in the first half, missing 16 of its first 17 shot attempts. South Carolina went to the break leading 32-14, holding Arkansas to the fewest points a John Calipari-coached team had ever scored in a first half.
South Carolina then opened the second half on a 15-4 run to stretch the lead. The Gamecocks led by as many as 35 points in the second half.
Arkansas closed the game shooting just 29% from the field and 14% from 3-point range. The Razorbacks had nearly as many turnovers (13) as they did made baskets (15). They were soundly beaten in the paint (38-18) and outrebounded.
Without Adou Thiero, the team’s leading scorer, Arkansas was lost on the offensive end of the floor. DJ Wagner went 2-for-10 from the field. Johnell Davis went 3-for-9 overall and 1-for-5 from deep. Only 2 Arkansas players broke double-digits — Karter Knox (11) and Jonas Aidoo (10).
The Razorbacks’ saving grace was the foul line, where they made 20 of 27 shots.
Nick Pringle added 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting to help the Gamecocks. But this game was mostly about Murray-Boyles, and his complete domination of the Razorbacks. Murray-Boyles made 12 of his 16 shots from the field, knocked down 11 of his 12 attempts from the foul line, added 7 rebounds, and produced 4 steals. On both ends of the floor, Murray-Boyles was a monster.
Though South Carolina remains at the very bottom of the SEC standings, both wins have come in the last 3 games. The Gamecocks were close on several occasions in recent weeks, and now they’re finally starting to put things together. They’ll host Georgia on Tuesday.
For Arkansas, the result is damaging. The Razorbacks entered Saturday’s matchup on the bubble. They were viewed by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi as one of the last 2 teams to get a bye into the field of 68. A loss to the worst team in the SEC (South Carolina ranks 70th in KenPom) could send the Razorbacks tumbling, possibly back into Dayton’s bracket and maybe even further.
Calipari’s group hits the road on Tuesday to play Vanderbilt. Arkansas closes out the regular season at home against Mississippi State on March 8.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
