South Carolina 74, Missouri State 67 (OT): LaShay Page scored a game-high 22 points and Michael Carrera returned to the lineup after missing the last three games and scored 18 points, including a game-tying 3-pointer at the end of regulation as the Gamecocks escaped in the Hoops for Hope Classic in Mexico.
Carrera, a freshman from Argentina who has been out since Nov. 14 with a concussion, saw his first game action since scoring 17 points and grabbing 15 rebounds in his collegiate debut for South Carolina (4-1).
Carrera drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game at 58-58 and send the game to overtime, where the Gamecocks used a 8-0 run early in overtime to take control. Brian Richardson added 14 points for South Carolina.
Missouri State (2-3), which led 33-28 at halftime, was led by Marcus Marshall's career-high 17 points. Christian Kirk and Anthony Downing added 16 apiece for the Bears, who have lost five straight neutral site games dating back to 2011.
NOTEBOOK: South Carolina committed 20 turnovers in the first half, which led to 20 of Missouri State's 33 points. The Gamecocks only committed four in the second half and overtime. ... The Bears' free throw woes continue as they converted 16-of-28 for 57.1 percent...South Carolina will play Arkansas-Little Rock in Sunday's final.
Missouri St. | South Carolina | |
Marcus Marshall 17 | Scoring | LaShay Page 22 |
Dorrian Williams 3 | Assists | Eric Smith 6 |
Keith Pickens 8 | Rebounds | LaShay Page 6 |
Anthony Downing 6 | Free Throws Made | LaShay Page 7 |
Anthony Downing 3 | Steals | Michael Carrera 1 |
N/A | Blocks | Mindaugas Kacinas 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Missouri St. | 67 | 39.0 | 5-19 | 16-28 | 7 | 26 | 0 | 10 | 13 |
South Carolina | 74 | 56.4 | 8-18 | 22-28 | 13 | 32 | 5 | 2 | 25 |