Mississippi State had an 11-point lead midway through the second quarter before the game shifted. South Carolina outscored the Bulldogs 19-2 in the final five minutes of the period to get the lead and extend it to 42-34 at halftime. The Gamecocks never looked back.

South Carolina’s defense locked in during the second and third quarters, forcing Mississippi State into eight straight misses over a nine-minute stretch. The Bulldogs, who average 18 assists per game, were held to just eight for the afternoon as USC disrupted passing lanes and smothered ball handlers.