Game Preview: South Carolina State at South Carolina COLUMBIA, S.C. (Interstat) — The South Carolina Gamecocks look to rebound from a tight road loss when they host the struggling South Carolina State Bulldogs in a nonconference men’s basketball game Monday at Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks (7-4) are coming off a 68-61 defeat at rival Clemson on Dec. 16, a game where they led at halftime but were outscored 41-29 in the second half. South Carolina has relied on a balanced attack, with guard Kobe Knox averaging 11.5 points over his last four games, including a 13-point effort in the loss to Clemson. South Carolina State (1-12) snapped a 12-game season-opening losing streak with a 68-54 home win over NAIA opponent Brewton-Parker on Friday. The Bulldogs’ lone victory came after a stretch of games where they lost by an average margin of 22.5 points. A key matchup will feature the teams’ top recent performers. For the Bulldogs, forward Cameron Clark is coming off a strong game, posting 16 points and nine rebounds in 22 minutes against Brewton-Parker. Clark has shown flashes of scoring ability, including a 17-point outing at South Dakota last month. Knox, a versatile guard for the Gamecocks, has been a consistent presence, logging over 30 minutes in four of the last five contests. His backcourt running mate, Meechie Johnson, leads the team in assists and added eight points and four assists against Clemson. The Bulldogs have faced significant defensive challenges, allowing 80 or more points in eight games this season. They will be tested by a South Carolina team averaging 76.2 points per game at home. This intrastate meeting is the final nonconference tune-up for both squads before holiday breaks. South Carolina will host Albany on Dec. 30 before opening Southeastern Conference play against Vanderbilt on Jan. 3. South Carolina State faces a daunting task at Tennessee on Dec. 30 before beginning Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play on Jan. 3. Monday’s game tips off at 7 p.m. EST. The Gamecocks have won the last 15 meetings between the programs, with South Carolina State’s last victory coming in 1978.