Behind a big game from forward Maik Kotsar, South Carolina led from start to finish in a 76-54 victory over Missouri at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, S.C., on Saturday afternoon.

Kotsar had game-highs in scoring (21), rebounding (11) and blocks (four), while going 7 of 8 from the floor. Guards Jermaine Cousinard (15) and A.J. Lawson (13 points) chipped in double-figure scoring for the Gamecocks (13-8, 5-3 Southeastern Conference), who have won three in a row and five of their last six.

Guard Xavier Pinson (12 points) was the only Tiger to reach double digits. Missouri (10-11, 2-6) shot 32.8 percent and had 17 turnovers to nine assists.

Missouri got within single digits at 52-43 for the first time since the opening half on a pair of foul shots from guard Dru Smith with 10:54 left.

The run didn't last long.

Kotsar answered with a field goal and a couple of foul shots and then guard Jair Bolden canned a 3 with 9:20 left, as Carolina matched its largest lead to that point at 59-43.

The Gamecocks eventually led by 24 before cruising to the finish line.

Missouri had a miserable first half, with 10 made field goals to nine turnovers. South Carolina blocked eight first-half shots and took a 39-26 lead at the break.

South Carolina jumped out to an 8-0 lead before the Tigers got a Pinson 3 at the 16:22 mark. The Tigers didn't score again until another Pinson 3 at 13:33 cut the lead to 11-6.

Forward Justin Minaya's jumper with 8:52 in the half gave the Gamecocks a 19-8 lead, the first double-digit advantage for either team.

A Kotsar jumper added to the lead. The Tigers were hitting just 11.1 percent (2 of 18) to that point before Pinson -- who later picked up a third foul with 6:09 left before the break -- followed with a 3.

Guard T.J. Moss hit a long 3 from the left side with 4:28 left in the half, giving Carolina its biggest lead of the half to that point at 30-15.

--Field Level Media