Box Score

South Carolina SC 14-15 (9-7)

Mizzou MIZ 13-15 (4-12)

South Carolina SC

14-15 (9-7)

Final

Mar. 02, 2019

Mizzou MIZ

13-15 (4-12)

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
South Carolina SC	25	38	63
Mizzou MIZ	29	49	78

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 3/2/2019 6:17:00 PM

@MizzouHoops Surges Past South Carolina, 78-63

Freshman Torrence Watson poured in a career-high 20 points to lead the Tigers

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at Georgia

3/6/2019 | 5:30 PM

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Mar. 06 (Wed) / 5:30 PM

at Georgia

Recap
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COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Men's Basketball picked up its fourth conference win of the season Saturday afternoon, defeating South Carolina 78-63 at Mizzou Arena. Freshman Torrence Watson starred for the Tigers, pouring in a career-high 20 points, including four 3-pointers. The Tigers made their presence felt on the glass, outrebounding the Gamecocks, 39-27. Mizzou has outrebounded its opponent 21 times in 28 games this season.

Following a back and forth opening few minutes, the Tigers went on a 7-0 run after senior forward Kevin Puryear converted consecutive jumpers. Mizzou would lead the rest of the way as the Tigers held South Carolina to their second-worst scoring half of the season in the opening period. The Gamecocks managed just 25 first-half points while shooting 10-of-30 from the field.

South Carolina cut the lead to 58-54 with 5:54 remaining in the second half, but Watson responded with two dagger three-pointers to seal Mizzou's 15-point victory heading into the final week of the SEC regular season.

TURNING POINT

With 5:26 remaining in the game, Watson converted back-to-back threes after South Carolina cut the game to just four points. Junior forward Reed Nikko followed with a thunderous dunk to stretch the Tigers' lead out to 10, and head coach Cuonzo Martin's squad cruised in the final two minutes. Puryear converted a three-point play with just over a minute remaining, pushing Mizzou's advantage out to 15.

TOP TIGERS

Freshman Torrence Watson came off the bench to record a career-high 20 points. He's now led the Tigers in scoring in consecutive games for the first time in his career.
Senior Kevin Puryear reached double figures for the seventh time this season and the 60^th time in his career, contributing a season-high 18 points.
Junior Reed Nikko recorded eight points and hauled in four rebounds in 18 high-energy minutes off the bench.
Senior Jordan Geist scored 15 points and added five rebounds and three assists for Mizzou, reaching double figures for the 21^st time in the last 25 games.

GAME NOTES

Cuonzo Martin improved to 7-1 all-time in his coaching career vs. South Carolina.
Mizzou is 3-2 in its last five meetings with the Gamecocks.
Watson shot 7-of-13 from the field en route to his career-high 20 points. The seven made field goals marked a career-high.
Watson is the fifth Tiger to reach 20 points in a game this season, joining Mark Smith, Jordan Geist, Jeremiah Tilmon and Javon Pickett.
Kevin Puryear reached double figures for the first time since Dec. 29 vs Morehead State, scoring a season-high 18 points.
Puryear made his 116^th career start on Saturday, becoming just the sixth Tiger in program history to do so.
Puryear now ranks 28^th on Mizzou's all-time scoring list with 1,217 points and counting.
Reed Nikko was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field scoring a season-high eight points.
Mizzou held South Carolina to 63 points and has now held opponents under 70 points 37 times in 61 games during the Martin era. Mizzou has now done so in four consecutive games. The Tigers are 12-4 this season when limiting opponents to 69 or fewer points.