South Carolina basketball coach Lamont Paris couldn't help but shake his head in frustration during the first half as Auburn kept sinking jump shots. The Tigers were dominating the Gamecocks, just like they had done in their previous meeting. This time, it was clear the outcome would not be pretty.
The Gamecocks suffered a crushing 86-55 defeat in the 2024 SEC Tournament quarterfinals at Bridgestone Arena. This loss was especially painful as it was the second time since February that Auburn had handed South Carolina a severe beating, following a 101-61 victory in Auburn during the regular season.
For South Carolina, the loss was a missed opportunity. Mississippi State's upset victory over top-seeded Tennessee earlier in the tournament had opened up a path to the championship for the Gamecocks, but they couldn't capitalize.
Auburn didn't quite replicate their outstanding shooting performance from their previous matchup, but they came close. Shooting nearly 50% from the field and over 47% from beyond the arc, the Tigers put up 46 points in the first half alone, leaving the Gamecocks trailing by 20 at halftime.
The second half was no different, with Auburn continuing to dominate on both ends of the court. They shut down South Carolina's offense, preventing any chance of a comeback. The Gamecocks ended the game with a dismal 28.1% shooting percentage, their worst of the season.
Despite the loss, BJ Mack led South Carolina with 14 points, though his 3-of-12 shooting from the field was inefficient.
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