Meechie Johnson scored 33 points and South Carolina defeated Southern Miss 83-79 in overtime Sunday night in Columbia, S.C.

Eli Ellis added 20 points and Mike Sharavjamts scored 17 for the Gamecocks (2-0), who squandered a 16-point first-half lead before rallying behind Johnson to reach overtime.

Isaac Taveras scored 25, Tylik Weeks had 20 and Israel Hart scored 17 for the Golden Eagles (1-2).

Weeks converted a three-point play to start the scoring in overtime, but South Carolina scored the next five points to take a 75-73 lead.

Taveras' layup tied the score, but Johnson made a free throw, assisted on a 3-pointer by Myles Stute and added two free throws that gave the Gamecocks an 81-75 lead with 21 seconds left.

Southern Miss got within two in the final seconds, but had to foul and El

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