AJ Lawson scored 19 of the 30 highest points of his career in the second half, when South Carolina pulled away and beat Texas A&M 78-54 on Wednesday night at the debut of the Gamecocks’ Southeastern Conference.
South Carolina (3-2, 1-0), who had a 28-day layoff before an eight-point victory over Florida A&M on Saturday, made 10 baskets beyond the hoop and hit 42% (29 of 69) in general.
Lawson was shooting 10 of 22 with three points from 3. Jermaine Couisnard made the best of his career with five 3s and finished with 15 points and four assists. Wildens Leveque added 10 points.
Emanuel Miller scored 17 of his best 28 career points in the first half for Texas A&M (6-3, 1-2). He is one of eight SEC players this season who has scored double figures in every game he has played. Quenton Jackson added 13 points.
Jackson’s 3-point ball pulled the Aggies to 38-34 early in the second half. The Gamecocks responded with a 17-5 run and had a double digit advantage the rest of the way.
Six players had at least five rebounds for South Carolina, which beat the Aggies by 45-31.
NEXT
Texas A&M: The Aggies host Tennessee, ninth, on Saturday.
South Carolina: Gamecocks play in Mississippi on Saturday before receiving Tennessee on January 12.
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