South Carolina sends Arkansas to 1-4 in SEC play | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

FAYETTEVILLE — South Carolina became the latest SEC basketball team to snap a multi-year losing streak to Arkansas on Saturday. 

The Gamecocks never trailed and won 77-64 at Bud Walton Arena, where the Razorbacks lost by double digits for the second time since conference play began Jan. 6.

South Carolina (15-3, 3-2 SEC) defeated Arkansas for the first time since January 2020 and snapped a three-game losing streak in the series. 

Arkansas (10-8, 1-4) also lost to Georgia and Florida for the first time since the 2019-20 season during a poor start to SEC play. 

The Gamecocks scored the game’s first five points and were never seriously challenged. South Carolina built a 39-27 halftime lead as it shot 12 of 28 from the floor, including 5 of 12 from three-point range, and 10 of 13 at the free-throw line in the first half. 

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Arkansas struggled to defend off the dribble, which allowed the Gamecocks several looks at or near the rim. South Carolina forward B.J. Mack had 12 first-half points as part of his game-high 18. 

The Razorbacks trailed by as many as 19 points in the second half. 

Tramon Mark made back-to-back three-pointers to pull Arkansas within 49-42 with 12:54 to play. South Carolina responded with a 13-1 run that put the game out of reach and sent many of the home fans to the exits. 

Ta’Lon Cooper made a pair of three-pointers during the Gamecocks’ game-defining run. His first three came out of a South Carolina timeout to end a 6-0 stretch by Arkansas, and his second three forced the Razorbacks to call timeout with 10:29 remaining, trailing 60-43. 

Arkansas did not get closer than 13 points the rest of the way. 

Zachary Davis scored 12 points and Cooper and Collin Murray-Boyles added 11 apiece for the Gamecocks. 

Mark scored 18 points to lead the Razorbacks after a slow start. He had two points at halftime.

No other Arkansas player scored in double figures. El Ellis scored 9 points and Davonte Davis and Jeremiah Davenport added 8 points apiece. 

The Gamecocks out-rebounded the Razorbacks 39-27, but Arkansas had a 14-5 advantage in second-chance points as both teams recorded 8 offensive boards. 

The Razorbacks also won the turnover battle 10-5, but could not overcome a large shooting discrepancy. 

Arkansas shot 23 of 62 and 5 of 18 from three-point range. The Razorbacks were 13 of 16 at the line. 

South Carolina finished 28 of 54 overall, 9 of 18 from three-point range and 12 of 17 at the line.