COLUMBIA — That's not how you want to start. In shocking fashion, South Carolina fell to the North Florida Ospreys 74-71 on Monday night despite 17 points from Gamecocks freshman Collin Murray-Boyles. "Hopefully, this is good for us because we were outplayed," South Carolina coach Lamont Paris said.
"I knew going into the game that they were a scrappy bunch, that's their DNA." Lamont Paris is now 2-1 in season openers with the Gamecocks. Gamecocks ease into title defense with comeback over Michigan The loss is a disappointing beginning to the season, following up a new chapter of turnaround for USC.
Last year, Paris's team finished 26-8 and made it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017's Final Four run. The first points of the game were scored by transfer Jamarii Thomas, the newest point guard addition to the Gamecocks. Thomas, last year’s MEAC player of the year at Norfolk State, finished with 12 points in his first game at Colonial Life Arena.
The fast start, however, was followed by a rough 10 minutes shooting for the Gamecocks, especially in the paint. Open looks under the basket turned into missed layups and empty free-throw trips. "We missed a lot of bunnies in the paint," USC freshman Cam Scott said.
"We lost by three, so finishing (and) free throws, we just need to get back in the gym and work on that stuff." College Basketball Preview: Can Lamont Paris' Gamecocks become a March Madness regular? Still, the Gamecocks remained physical and used their .
