South Carolina defeats Florida International 84-72

Nov 24, 2013, 03:30 pm

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Tyrone Johnson scored 18 points and Jaylen Shaw added 16 points to lead four players in double figures to give South Carolina an 84-72 victory over Florida International Sunday.

The victory snaps the Gamecocks two-game losing streak and halts the Panthers six-game winning streak, the longest for the program since 2000.

Johnson scored seven points from the free throw line in the final 2 minutes to help seal the victory.

But the added boost from Shaw was unexpected. The freshman had only played four minutes and scored two points in first three games for South Carolina (2-2). He provided an early spark with three 3-pointers in the first half to keep the Gamecocks close. He was 6-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range.

Freshman post player Demetrius Henry chipped in 14 points and six rebounds. His previous season-best was nine points. Brenton Williams came off the bench to added 15 points for the Gamecocks.

Tymell Murphy scored a game-high 22 points for Florida International (6-3). Marco Porcher Jimenez added 15 points, Rakeem Buckles chipped in with 11 and Dennis Mavin contributed 10.

Neither team led by more than four points in the first half. The Panthers closed the half with the final seven points to take a 42-39 lead at the break.

It continued to be a close game until South Carolina used 12-6 spurt in the middle of the second half to take control for good.