Rice, who transferred from Washington State, achieved impressive shooting numbers, knocking down 7 of 10 attempts, which included converting 3 of 4 shots from beyond the arc, along with making all six of his free throw attempts. Indiana (3-0) maintained control throughout the second half, with their lead never shrinking below eight points, even in the closing moments of the game.
Mackenzie Mgbako also contributed to Indiana’s efforts by adding 17 points to the scoreboard.
For South Carolina (2-2), Morris Ugusuk was the standout performer, leading his team with 18 points, four of which came from three-point range.
The Gamecocks found themselves overly dependent on three-point attempts to compensate for their overall shooting difficulties, finishing just 8 for 29 from long range. Their defensive efforts against Indiana’s three-point shooting proved inadequate, allowing the Hoosiers to convert 8 of 17 attempts. The absence of a strong inside presence, typically provided by leading scorer Collin Murray-Bowles, further hindered South Carolina’s performance; he managed only one basket in 19 minutes before ultimately fouling out.
For Indiana, the momentum generated by Rice’s stellar first-half performance was crucial in building a substantial lead. The backcourt duo of Rice and Kanaan Carlyle, who had been relatively quiet in the first two games, stepped up significantly, with Carlyle adding 12 points to the mix. A productive backcourt enhances Indiana’s overall strength, making them a well-rounded offensive threat.
A pivotal moment in the game came when Rice made consecutive baskets, including a crucial three-pointer with just 17 seconds left in the first half, allowing Indiana to take a 43-32 lead into halftime.
An important statistic was the performance of Murray-Bowles, who entered the game with an average of 20.3 points but struggled to find his rhythm, scoring only two points and sitting out for significant stretches due to foul trouble.
As the teams look ahead, South Carolina is set to host Mercer on Thursday, while Indiana will welcome UNC Greensboro to their home court on the same day.