Field Level Media
Dec 12, 2021
Devin Carter's 16 points and seven rebounds led South Carolina to a thrilling 66-65 victory over Florida State on Sunday afternoon in the No Room for Racism Classic in Rock Hill, S.C.
The Gamecocks (7-2) erased a 16-point first-half deficit to win their second in a row, but they had to stave off a late Florida State (5-4) comeback.
Malik Osborne, who led the Seminoles with 15 points and nine rebounds, spotted up for a wide open three-pointer from the top of the key just before time expired. But the shot hit the front of the rim and bounced off sending Florida State to its third consecutive defeat.
FSU trailed 61-54 with 4:48 left in the second half when Caleb Mills hit a pair of free throws and Osborne hit a three to pull the Seminoles within a bucket with four minutes to go.
Anthony Polite hit a pair of free throws to tie the game.
Moments later, Keyshawn Bryant's left-handed runner with 1:23 left dropped in, and he drew a foul on Jalen Warley. Despite missing the ensuing free throw, Bryant put the Gamecocks ahead 66-63.
RayQuan Evans hit a pair of free throws to draw the Seminoles within a point, and Osborne made a great defensive play with a block at the rim that denied Bryant on a dunk attempt. FSU then called timeout with 7.2 seconds left, setting up Osborne's final shot.
Mills finished with 13 points for the Seminoles, who lost despite scoring 23 points off 17 South Carolina turnovers.
Florida State used its pressure defense well early on and went on a 23-5 surge to take a 27-11 lead with 10:57 to go in the first half. The Gamecocks closed the half on a 12-3 surge as the Seminoles went six minutes and 29 seconds without a field goal.
Trailing 50-44 with 10:22 to go in the second half, Reese scored 10 consecutive points including a pair of triples to ignite a 12-0 run by South Carolina, which did not trail again from that point on.
--Field Level Media