On the court again after an extended layoff for exams, the South Carolina Gamecocks struggled to get back up to speed against No. 5 Virginia, falling 69-52 to the unbeaten Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
Much like their game against Michigan, the Gamecocks played a promising first half, mounting a late run and challenging the Cavaliers when Alanzo Frink’s unlikely 3-pointer brought the score to 27-26. But Virginia answered by cranking up its defense, controlling the last few minutes of the half to take a 33-26 lead to the locker room.
South Carolina kept battling, though, pressuring the Cavaliers again early in the second half when a Felipe Haase 3 made it 35-31.