Gamecocks Post Exhibition Win Versus Allen

COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) — The South Carolina men’s basketball team held its lone exhibition game of the 2015-16 season on Sunday at Colonial Life Arena, posting a 71-43 win over Allen University. The Gamecocks jumped out to an early 17-4 lead thanks to a strong defensive effort, which held Allen scoreless for the first 5:59 of the contest. The Gamecocks held a 36-21 advantage at the break, stretching the lead to 20 in the second half on their way to the win. At halftime of the contest, both teams remained on the court and the nine victims of the Emanuel AME Church shooting and their families were honored in a ceremony at mid-court. Nine people were killed during a Bible study session at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on June 17, 2015. Carolina jumped on the Yellow Jackets early, scoring the game’s first 12 points capped off by an Eric Cobb layup. Allen, however, wouldn’t go away, and a 3-pointer by Latroy Strong cut the lead to 27-19 with 6:03 to go in the half. The Gamecocks would regroup and close the half on a 9-2 run, holding Allen scoreless for the final 3:54 to establish their lead at the break. A four-point play by junior guard Sindarius Thornwell early in the second half pushed the lead to 20 and the Gamecocks never looked back. South Carolina forced 21 Allen turnovers and held the Yellow Jackets to 27.1 percent from the floor. Carolina also dominated the boards 69-28, with three Gamecocks pulling down double-figure rebounds, led by Cobb’s 14. Thornwell led all scorers with 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-6 from 3-point range, while senior forward Laimonas Chatkevicius notched a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Cobb added eight points and Marcus Stroman dished out five assists to lead the team.