COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Gamecocks hosted the South Carolina State Bulldogs in the season opener last night at Colonial Life Arena.
Hayden Brown scored 21 points, freshman Gregory Jackson II had 18 points and 10 rebounds in his debut and South Carolina beat South Carolina State 80-77 on Tuesday night for the first victory for coach Lamont Paris.
S.C. State’s Davion Everett tipped in a miss with 4.5 seconds left to pull within 79-77, and the Bulldogs fouled Jacobi Wright, who made 1 of 2 free throws. South Carolina elected to foul Rakeim Gary in the backcourt and it paid off as he missed the first free throw and the second was waived off after a lane violation.
Wright added 14 points and Meechie Johnson, a transfer from Ohio State, scored nine points for South Carolina. Jackson, who was rated the country’s sixth-best college prospect by ESPN.com, was 7 of 15 from the field.
Lesown Hallums led South Carolina State with 20 points. Rahsaan Edwards added 13 points, Gary had 12 and Everett scored 11.
Paris, who spent the past five seasons coaching Chattanooga, leads a relatively new roster as eight players, including four starters, departed after Frank Martin was fired.
South Carolina faces state rival Clemson on Nov. 11, then plays in the Charleston Classic, an in-state, eight-team tournament that also features ACC Tournament champion Virginia Tech and Penn State of the Big Ten.
South Carolina finished 18-13 overall a season ago while going 12-4 at home. The Gamecocks averaged 7.8 steals, 5.1 blocks and 14.7 turnovers per game last season.
South Carolina State finished 15-16 overall a season ago while going 6-8 on the road. The Bulldogs averaged 12.2 assists per game on 25.6 made field goals last season.