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Transfer Myles Rice led No. 16 Indiana to a decisive 87-71 victory over South Carolina on Saturday, showcasing his scoring prowess with 17 of his 23 points coming in the first half.
The former Washington State standout displayed remarkable shooting accuracy, making 7 of 10 attempts from the field, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, and sinking all six free throws. The Hoosiers (3-0) maintained control throughout the second half, with their lead never dipping below eight points in the final moments.
Mackenzie Mgbako also contributed significantly, adding 17 points to the scoreboard for Indiana.
On the other side, Morris Ugusuk led the Gamecocks (2-2) with 18 points, hitting four 3-pointers in the effort.
Takeaways
South Carolina struggled with its shooting, relying heavily on 3-point attempts to compensate for an off night overall, finishing 8 of 29 from long range. Additionally, the Gamecocks’ defense faltered, allowing Indiana to convert 8 of 17 from 3-point territory. The absence of leading scorer Collin Murray-Boyles, who managed only one basket in 19 minutes before fouling out, further weakened their inside scoring.
For Indiana, Rice’s explosive first half was key in building a comfortable lead. The backcourt duo of Rice and Kanaan Carlyle, who previously averaged just 11 points combined in the first two games, stepped up significantly, with Carlyle adding 12 points. This depth in scoring enhances the Hoosiers’ overall strength.
Key moment
A pivotal moment came when Rice scored on consecutive possessions, including a crucial 3-pointer with just 17 seconds left in the first half, extending Indiana’s lead to 43-32 at halftime.
Key stat
Murray-Boyles, who entered the game with a team-leading average of 20.3 points, managed only two points before sitting out eight minutes into the first half due to foul trouble. He was sidelined again after picking up his fourth foul with 15:34 remaining and ultimately fouled out with 8:16 left on the clock.
Up next
The Gamecocks will return home to face Mercer on Thursday, while the Hoosiers will host UNC Greensboro on the same day.
