Gamecocks win in Paradise Jam

Hofstra will play the victor of South Carolina-DePaul on Sunday while FSU will play the loser on Saturday. “But to play an ACC team like Florida State – not just an ACC team, but a good ACC team – to get a win like this… quite frankly, this is probably the one we’ve been looking for to really get us over the hump”.

Bernardi was 8-for-10 from the floor, 6-for-8 from 3-point range – and is now 14 of 21 from beyond the arc this season for the Pride (3-0), who are off to their best start since the 2004-05 club started 9-0. The trio utilized tip-ins, fouls and seamless post moves to build back their lead in the first, which added up to 30-18 after a Kacinas layup midway through the half.

The second half began with another offensive slugfest, where Hofstra’s attack continued, but South Carolina’s always responded right back. The DePaul Blue Demons have now scored under 70 points in nine straight games and have a combined 123 points in their last two games. The Seminoles made each of their first six shots and forced three early turnovers in taking their largest lead of the first half.

Gustys was bullied down low, and only managed two points total, both on free throws.

The stat sheet pronounced the Pride’s frontcourt struggles: They were outrebounded 41-23, including just seven total boards in the second. Second team Preseason All-SEC selection Sindarius Thornwell scored 14, while Spring Valley’s P.J. Dozier chipped in with 12.

Boris Bojanovsky and Xavier Rathan-Mayes added 14 points apiece for Florida State (4-1), which shot 54 percent from the field.

Hofstra, averaging 89.5 ppg, faces Indiana State Monday in its final Paradise Jam game.