South Carolina, Lamont Paris get statement win at Tennessee

South Carolina picked up a statement win Tuesday night.

Throughout the entirety of the 2023-24 season up to this point, only one team has defeated the Tennessee Volunteers inside Thompson-Boling Arena, and if you watched the SEC basketball action from Tuesday night, then you already know that the team is the South Carolina Gamecocks.

Yes, head coach Lamont Paris and the Gamecocks picked up a statement win Tuesday night in Knoxville, defeating Tennessee by a final score of 63-59.

A win that extended South Carolina’s current winning streak to four straight, the Gamecocks would lead for a majority of the second half, and while only shooting 33.9% from the field, as well as 34.5% from three, were able to hold on late due to some big makes down the stretch.

Of those baskets, arguably none was bigger than a made three-pointer from Ta’Lon Cooper with 0:41 remaining to extend the lead from three to six. The Gamecocks also helped secure the victory with some big makes at the free throw line inside a minute remaining, with Myles Stute going a perfect four-for-four at the line down the stretch.

The aforementioned Cooper would lead South Carolina with 18 points on the night, while B.J. Mack and Stute were also in double-figures.

For the Volunteers, star Dalton Knecht would have yet another phenomenal offensive showing by adding 31 points, but South Carolina would keep the remainder of the Tennessee lineup limited on the scoreboard as the star trio of Zeigler, Vescovi, and James had only a combined 14 points.

Now sitting at 18-3 overall, as well as second in the SEC at 6-2 in conference play, this, combined with the Kentucky win last week, is a victory that will do nothing but boost South Carolina’s NCAA Tournament resume down the road.

Simply a statement victory on all fronts, can the Gamecocks keep their winning ways going Saturday at Georgia?