Florida A&M Rattlers at South Carolina Gamecocks
· NCAA Men's Basketball
Lawson scores 25, S. Carolina wins first outing in 28 days
The COVID-19 issues that befell the South Carolina (2-2) program ever since Dec. 5 were still in evidence as the team had just nine players available. Jermaine Couisnard added 15 points, five assists and four steals, Justin Minaya picked up his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Justin Speer scored 14 of his career-high 21 points in the second half, hitting four straight from the floor as Florida A&M (1-6) rallied from seven points down into a late lead. Kamron Reaves chipped in 11 points, M.J. Randolph added 10 and D.J. Jones 10. The Rattlers had been idle since Dec. 18.
Lawson scored seven points in the first nine minutes after halftime, including a pair of fast-break dunks off of his own steals, but South Carolina was unable to shake the Rattlers. There were five ties and four lead changes in the second half.
After the Gamecocks took their largest lead, 57-50, Speer scored eight unanswered points to put Florida A&M ahead for the first time since the 5:37 mark of the first half.
Lawson drained a 3-pointer off the break to muscle South Carolina back in front 68-66, and then blocked Randolph at 3:30 to protect a 71-69 lead.
The win was South Carolina's first at home this season and 20th straight win in a home opener. Florida A&M has not played a home game yet this season.
South Carolina opens Southeast Conference play hosting Texas A&M on Wednesday.
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Recent Plays
| 2nd 0:00 | End of Game | 71 - 78 |
| 2nd 0:00 | End of 2nd half | 71 - 78 |
| 2nd 0:10 | Justin Minaya Defensive Rebound. | 71 - 78 |
| 2nd 0:11 | MJ Randolph missed Free Throw. | 71 - 78 |
| 2nd 0:12 | Foul on Trae Hannibal. | 71 - 78 |
Statistics
 FAMU |
 SC |
|
|---|---|---|
| 26-57 | FG | 29-70 |
| 46 | Field Goal % | 41 |
| 6-15 | 3PT | 8-27 |
| 40 | Three Point % | 30 |
| 13-19 | FT | 12-20 |
| 68 | Free Throw % | 60 |
| 36 | Rebounds | 43 |
| 6 | Offensive Rebounds | 14 |
| 30 | Defensive Rebounds | 29 |
| 11 | Assists | 16 |
| 5 | Steals | 8 |
| 2 | Blocks | 2 |
| 18 | Turnovers | 11 |
| 2 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 18 | Total Turnovers | 11 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Flagrant Fouls | 0 |
| 11 | Points Off Turnovers | 11 |
| 15 | Fast Break Points | 20 |
| 26 | Points in Paint | 40 |
| 20 | Fouls | 18 |
| 7 | Largest Lead | 7 |
Game Information
Location: Columbia, SC
Attendance: 3,100 | Capacity:
2025-26 Southwestern Athletic Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethune-Cookman | 14-4 | - | 17-15 |
| Southern | 11-7 | 3 | 17-17 |
| Florida A&M | 11-7 | 3 | 15-16 |
| Alabama A&M | 10-8 | 4 | 18-15 |
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff | 10-8 | 4 | 13-19 |
| Texas Southern | 10-8 | 4 | 12-18 |
| Jackson State | 10-8 | 4 | 12-21 |
| Prairie View A&M | 9-9 | 5 | 19-18 |
| Grambling | 7-11 | 7 | 14-19 |
| Alabama State | 7-11 | 7 | 10-22 |
| Alcorn State | 7-11 | 7 | 9-23 |
| Mississippi Valley State | 2-16 | 12 | 3-30 |
2025-26 Southeastern Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 16-2 | - | 27-8 |
| Arkansas | 13-5 | 3 | 28-9 |
| Alabama | 13-5 | 3 | 25-10 |
| Vanderbilt | 11-7 | 5 | 27-9 |
| Tennessee | 11-7 | 5 | 25-12 |
| Texas A&M | 11-7 | 5 | 22-12 |
| Georgia | 10-8 | 6 | 22-11 |
| Kentucky | 10-8 | 6 | 22-14 |
| Missouri | 10-8 | 6 | 20-13 |
| Texas | 9-9 | 7 | 21-15 |
| Oklahoma | 7-11 | 9 | 21-16 |
| Auburn | 7-11 | 9 | 21-16 |
| Mississippi State | 5-13 | 11 | 13-19 |
| Ole Miss | 4-14 | 12 | 15-20 |
| South Carolina | 4-14 | 12 | 13-19 |
| LSU | 3-15 | 13 | 15-17 |