2017 Final Four semifinalist South Carolina used a pair of runs at the start of each half to quell any thoughts of an upset by FIU as the Gamecocks defeated the Panthers 78-61 on Monday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

The Gamecocks (5-1), who lost to Gonzaga in a national semifinal on April 1 earlier this year, started Monday's game on a 9-0 run before the Panthers (2-4) scored their first points on two free throws by Brian Beard, Jr.

After FIU battled its way back into the game in the latter part of the first half, South Carolina took control of the game for good with a 21-2 run to begin the final 20 minutes of play.

FIU's night had an ominous beginning when South Carolina forced the Panthers into a shot clock violation on the opening possession. The Gamecocks then went on their 9-0 run.

South Carolina led 22-13 near the midway point of the first half before FIU mounted a comeback.

Buoyed by their defense, the Panthers went on an 18-1 run. Beard gave the Panthers their first lead, 23-22, with a four-point play with 8:04 left in the first half. Beard tied the score at 22-22 with a three-pointer and put FIU ahead with the ensuing free throw.

Beard had 14 points. Eric Lockett led FIU with 21 points, five rebounds, three blocks and three steals. Trejon Jacob scored 15 points for the Panthers.

South Carolina orchestrated a 15-5 run just before halftime to take a 38-36 lead into the locker room. Former Florida Atlantic guard Frank Booker drained a three-pointer in the final 10 seconds of the half to regain the lead for the Gamecocks.

Both teams hit their shots in the first half. South Carolina shot 57.7 percent from the field. FIU shot 50 percent.

However, the two-point deficit at halftime was as close as the Panthers would get to the Gamecocks the rest of the way. After its big run to start the second half, South Carolina led by 21.

South Carolina's Chris Silva led all scorers with 26 points.

FIU returns to the hardwood Wednesday night when the Panthers take on Florida National in the middle game of a three-game home stand. Wednesday's game against the Conquistadors tips off at 7 p.m from the Ocean Bank Convocation Center.

2017-18 FIU Men's Basketball Postgame Notes
 
FIU "Panthers" vs. SOUTH CAROLINA "Gamecocks"
South Carolina (5-1) 78, FIU (2-4) 61
Monday, November 27, 2017, 7 p.m.
Ocean Bank Convocation Center, Miami, Fla.

- Tonight's starters for FIU against UTEP were: G Trejon Jacob, G Brian Beard, Jr., G Eric Lockett, F Hassan Hussein, C Elhadji Dieng … The Panthers are 0-3 this season with tonight's starting lineup.

- Tonight's 78-61 loss to South Carolina drops FIU's record to 0-4 all-time against the Gamecocks, dating back to the inaugural meeting during the 1984-85 season.                           

- Tonight's game was the first of three-straight that FIU will play at home this week, followed by Florida National (Nov. 29, 7 p.m.) and South Alabama (Dec. 2, 7 p.m.) ... It's also the first of nine that the Panthers will play at home out of their next 11 games.

- G Willy Nunez Jr. saw his first action for the Panthers after having preseason surgery … Nunez, Jr. finished the game with seven points on 3-for-9 shooting in 25 minutes of action.

- G Brian Beard, Jr.'s 14 points – 12 of which came in the second half – marks his fourth-straight double-figure scoring game … Beard, Jr. finished the game shooting 3-for-7 from the field, 2-for-4 from three-point range, and 6-for-7 from the charity stripe … He also dished out a team-high four assists and had two steals.

- G Eric Lockett's 21 points marks his fifth double-figure scoring performance of the season … He has also scored double-figures in nine games during his career with FIU, and in seven of the last nine games dating back to last season … His 20-point plus effort marks the second of his career and the third in his last four games

- Lockett played his fourth-straight game of 32 minutes of more, against South Carolina, logging 39 minutes.