South Carolina scored more first-half points than Wyoming managed for the entire game in an easy 66-32 victory on Sunday afternoon in Columbia, S.C.
It was the fewest point the Gamecocks (2-0) had allowed in a game under eighth-year coach Frank Martin. The previous low was 44 against Longwood in November 2013.
South Carolina held Wyoming (1-1) to 23.1 percent shooting, with the Cowboys hitting only consecutive shots twice on the day. In two games this season, the Gamecocks have allowed opponents to shoot 24.0 percent from the field and 15.8 percent from 3-point range.
Runs of 13-1 and 18-1 set the tone early for South Carolina, which led 35-16 at halftime, making two more 3-pointers (seven) than the Cowboys did field goals (five). Redshirt sophomore guard Hunter Maldonado, who had 32 points in Wyoming's opener, didn't hit his first field goal until 1:14 left in the first half and finished with 10 points on 2-of-7 shooting with five turnovers.
Wyoming, which went nearly nine minutes without a field goal at one point in the first half, missed its first eight shots in the second half and didn't get on the scoreboard until the 12:18 mark. By that point South Carolina had upped its lead to 47-18.
Sophomore guard A.J. Lawson and redshirt freshman guard Jermaine Couisnard had 12 points each. Redshirt junior guard Jair Bolden had 11, and sophomore forward Alanzo Frink had 10 for South Carolina, which had a 41-21 rebounding advantage to offset 42.4 percent shooting and only a 7-of-12 performance from the foul line.
South Carolina continues its season-opening five-game homestand Friday against Cleveland State, while Wyoming returns home Wednesday to face Cal State Fullerton.
--Field Level Media
Wyoming | South Carolina | |
Hunter Maldonado 10 | Scoring | Jermaine Couisnard 12 |
A.J. Banks 1 | Assists | Justin Minaya 3 |
Hunter Thompson 7 | Rebounds | Alanzo Frink 7 |
Hunter Maldonado 4 | Free Throws Made | Alanzo Frink 2 |
A.J. Banks 1 | Steals | A.J. Lawson 3 |
A.J. Banks 1 | Blocks | Jalyn McCreary 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Wyoming | 32 | 23.1 | 4-17 | 10-18 | 5 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 15 |
South Carolina | 66 | 42.4 | 9-27 | 7-12 | 14 | 39 | 5 | 9 | 11 |