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COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Wofford College men’s basketball team stayed close, but was defeated 78-61 by South Carolina on Monday night at Colonial Life Arena. Wofford’s Noah Dahlman led all scorers with 18 points in the game.
Wofford is 4-6 overall and 0-1 in the conference, while South Carolina is 11-2 overall and has not started SEC play. The Terriers were led by Noah Dahlman with 18 points and six rebounds, while Tim Johnson added 11 rebounds. The Gamecocks were led by Devan Downey with 17 points as four players had double-digit points.
“We knew it would be tough with or without Salters but clearly South Carolina was the better team in here tonight,” said head coach Mike Young. “We gave up two transition baskets at the end of the half and eight in the second half. Downey is a one-man fast break and I don’t know of many teams in the country that can guard him. I thought our guys tried like crazy to corral him, but they have some other pretty potent players as well. Our kids did a nice job, and they had to.”
The Terriers took an early 6-0 lead three minutes into the game, but South Carolina then took an 8-6 lead. The score was tied at eight and at ten before a three-pointer by Brandis Raley-Ross at 11:59 began an 8-0 run for the Gamecocks. Corey Godzinski was able to hit two three-pointer to cut the lead to 22-20 with 7:25 left in the first half.
South Carolina then went on a 12-0 run to take a 34-20 lead. Terry Martin ended the run with two free throws with 2:45 on the clock. The Gamecocks added a three-pointer by Zam Frederick as they took a 39-24 lead at the half.
To start the second half, Wofford was able to cut the lead to 41-33 after a three-pointer by Matt Estep at 17:20. The Gamecocks pushed the lead back to 13 points after a three by Evaldas Baniulis. Kevin Giltner responded with a three for Wofford, but at 11:58 the Gamecocks had a 53-38 lead.
The Gamecocks took a 60-44 lead at 8:12 in the second half with a three-pointer by Robert Wilder. A three by Jason Dawson at 6:17 cut the lead to 64-51. South Carolina was able to pull away in the final two minutes for the 78-61 win.
Wofford shot 43.5% from the floor and 50.0% from three. The Terriers were 88.9% from the line. The Gamecocks shot 50.0% from the floor and 46.7% from behind the arc. South Carolina was 68.8% from the free throw line. Rebounds were even at 29 apiece.
Wofford was without guard Junior Salters, who missed the contest due to injury. The game was the final non-conference game of the season for the Terriers. Noah Dahlman has scored in double-figures in the last nine games. Tim Johnson has had 10+ rebounds in the last three games. Wofford has only been out-rebounded in one game this season (at Clemson).
The Terriers will get back to conference action on Thursday night at Chattanooga, followed by a trip to Samford on Saturday afternoon. Wofford returns home on January 15 against College of Charleston at 7:00 pm.
