South Carolina defeats WKU Men’s Basketball
WKU redshirt sophomore forward/center Fallou Diagne (1) makes a two-pointer during the matchup with Wright State in E.A. Diddle Arena on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. WKU won 64-60.
December 22, 2022
WKU Men’s Basketball (8-3) fell to the South Carolina Gamecocks (6-6) 65-58 in their final non-conference game of the season at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
Junior guard Dayvion Mcknight had an outstanding performance in the loss. Mcknight led the game in scoring with 28 points. The guard also led the Hilltoppers in rebounding with eight boards in the match up.
Overall, the Hilltoppers were unable to get their shots to fall in the game. WKU shot 36% from the field and went a lackluster 3-22 from beyond the arc against the Gamecocks.
South Carolina was also able to dominate the glass against WKU. The Gamecocks led the rebound battle 51-31.
The Hilltoppers came out hot to start the contest. A three from sixth year senior Luke Frampton capped off an early 11-2 run for WKU. However, the Gamecocks were able to respond to the early Hilltopper dominance.
South Carolina rode a 12-2 run into the 12-minute media timeout to take a 14-13 lead. The Hilltopper offense struggled after the timeout. South Carolina took advantage of an almost five minute shooting drought from WKU to take a 22-19 lead.
Both teams stayed close to the end of the first 20 minutes. A beautiful reverse lay-up from Mcknight beat the buzzer and cut the Gamecock lead down to two, 34-32, to end the half.
The Hilltoppers were able to find an offensive rhythm to start the second half. WKU started the half shooting 4-6 from the field to keep the deficit at two, 42-40.
The squads continued to stay tight in the game. The Hilltoppers exploited a three minute South Carolina scoring drought to take a 46-44 lead at the 12 minute timeout. However, the Gamecocks were able to bounce back from their offensive drought.
South Carolina went on a 7-0 run to take the lead from WKU, 51-49. Unfortunately, the Hilltopper offense went cold to end the game. WKU went 1-11 from the field to end the game as the Hilltoppers fell to the Gamecocks 65-58.
WKU will look to put an end to their two game skid as they start C-USA play against Rice on Thursday, Dec. 29 at E.A. Diddle Arena.
