Five Gamecocks score in double figures in season opening win

COLUMBIA, S.C. (Nov. 3, 2026) — Five different Gamecocks notched double digit points in the season opening win over Stetson, guiding South Carolina to an 81-55 win on Tuesday night in Colonial Life Arena.

South Carolina took a commanding 42-25 lead into the locker room at halftime, shooting 16-of-30 from the floor. Seven different Gamecocks contributed to the first half score, led by Czech Republic native Jakub Nečas with nine points. South Carolina dominated in the paint with 22 of its 42 first half points coming from down low. The Gamecocks caught a surge out of the first media timeout, going 4-of-5 to jump ahead 16-8. With a little over eight minutes to go, South Carolina finished out the half on a dominant 21-9 run.

Camden Heide opened the second half with his second three pointer of the game to jump start the Gamecock offense out of the locker room. The two teams traded baskets through the 12-minute mark as the Gamecocks held tight to an 18-point advantage. Three consecutive baskets put South Carolina up 65-39, forcing a Stetson timeout. The Gamecocks wouldn’t let up, keeping their foot on the gas for a 15-0 run, led by Juan Fernández with eight of the 15.

Fernández led the Gamecocks in scoring with 20 points on 9-of-13 (69.2%) shooting, while adding seven rebounds. Eight of the ten players that stepped foot on the court scored, seven of those scoring their first points in the Garnet and Black uniform.

NOTABLES

· All five South Carolina starters scored in the first half with four of the starters scoring in double digits.

· Kory Mincy led the team in assists with five, while adding three steals and three rebounds on the day – he also finished the game with five points.

· With the victory tonight, Paris moves to 4-1 in season openers at South Carolina and notched his 150th career win as a collegiate head coach.

· The Gamecocks’ height played a big factor as they outrebounded Stetson, 35-21.

· Camden Heide added 13 points, while Nečas and Davion Hannah chipped in with 11 points and nine rebounds.

· Aleksas Bieliauskas capped off his Gamecock debut with 10 points and four boards.

· Fifth-year Eli Sparkman tied his career-high in points with six, knocking down a pair of first half threes.

UP NEXT

South Carolina remains at home hosting Southeast Missouri State on Sunday, Nov. 8. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m. (ET) inside Colonial Life Arena. Derek Scott (PxP) and Casey Manning (analyst) will provide the call on 107.5 The Game, with Dave Weinstein, John Williams and Perry Clark bringing the call on SECN+. This will be the first-time meeting between the programs.