Late jumper lifts South Carolina past Clemson in rivalry game

Clemson nearly overcame a 9-point halftime deficit but ended up coming up just short, falling to rival South Carolina 60-58 Friday night in Columbia.

South Carolina’s Chico Carter hit a jumper with less than a second remaining, which proved to be the difference.

Clemson trailed by 7 with three minutes remaining and battled back to tie the game, before Carter’s late heroics.

Carter led all scorers with 16 points. He was 6-for-9 from the field and 4-of-6 from 3-point range

Tigers star forward PJ Hall made his season debut, leading the Tigers with 15 points and 5 rebounds in 22 minutes. But it wasn’t enough as the Gamecocks held off a late rally.

Hall played through a hurt foot for much of last season, then injured his knee in the offseason. He practiced this week and was able to play against South Carolina.

Chase Hunter, Hunter Tyson and Brevin Galloway also scored in double figures for Clemson.

Hunter had 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists, while Tyson finished with 10 points and 4 rebounds. Galloway added 13 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, knocking down 3 of his 6 3-point attempts.

Both teams struggled from the field, but the difference in the game was rebounding.

Clemson shot 38 percent from the field, with South Carolina shooting 34 percent.

However, the Gamecocks outrebounded Clemson 50-32. South Carolina had 19 offensive boards.

In addition to Carter, Gamecocks freshman GG Jackson also had a solid game. Jackson had 12 points and 8 rebounds, while doing a solid job defensively.

Sophomore Jared Wright also finished in double figures for South Carolina, finishing with 10 points and 4 boards.

Up next, Clemson will host USC Upstate on Tuesday. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Littlejohn Coliseum.

South Carolina’s next game is against Colorado State on Thursday in Charleston as the Gamecocks are participating in the Charleston Classic.