2017 Final Four semifinalist South Carolina used a pair of runs at the start of each half to quell any thoughts of an upset by FIU as the Gamecocks defeated the Panthers 78-61 on Monday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.
The Gamecocks (5-1), who lost to Gonzaga in a national semifinal on April 1 earlier this year, started Monday's game on a 9-0 run before the Panthers (2-4) scored their first points on two free throws by Brian Beard, Jr.
After FIU battled its way back into the game in the latter part of the first half, South Carolina took control of the game for good with a 21-2 run to begin the final 20 minutes of play.