Collin Murray-Boyles leads South Carolina to victory over Virginia Tech

In the United States, on the evening of November 27, 2024, the South Carolina Gamecocks faced off against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the third-place game of the Beach Division at the Fort Myers Tip-Off. The game, held in Fort Myers, Florida, was competitive, but South Carolina managed to secure a 70-60 victory. The Gamecocks were led by Collin Murray-Boyles, who tallied a significant 16 points along with eight rebounds. His performance was crucial in helping South Carolina maintain control of the game, especially in critical moments during the second half. As the match progressed, Virginia Tech fought hard to overcome an eight-point deficit coming out of halftime. They began the second half strong, with six of their first 11 baskets being three-pointers, narrowing the gap and making the contest more intense. South Carolina, however, held steady, leading 57-53 with just over five minutes remaining. During a pivotal stretch, they effectively shut down Virginia Tech, preventing them from scoring for nearly five minutes, which allowed South Carolina to widen their lead to 62-53. Despite the pressure, South Carolina's offense remained composed. With under a minute left in the game, Murray-Boyles executed a three-point play that solidified the lead for the Gamecocks, showcasing his clutch performance as the game neared its conclusion. The Gamecocks finished strong, converting five out of their six free throws, ensuring their victory was comfortable in the closing moments. Other notable contributions came from Zachary Davis and Morris Ugusuk, who both added 12 points to the scoreboard for South Carolina. On the opposing side, Jaydon Young and Jaden Schutt were significant for Virginia Tech with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Despite a commendable effort from Virginia Tech, they were unable to overcome South Carolina's defensive resilience and timely scoring that defined the game's outcome.