Gamecocks Coach Shane Beamer Praises Team’s Effort After Close Loss to Auburn
Columbia, SC – South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer expressed pride in his team’s effort following a hard-fought 66-63 loss to No. 2 Auburn on Saturday. Despite missing key players and facing one of the nation’s top teams, the Gamecocks (10-6, 0-3 SEC) pushed Auburn to the limit in a thrilling SEC matchup.
“I’m incredibly proud of how our guys competed tonight,” Beamer said. “We were down a couple of starters, but no one hung their head. They showed grit and heart, and that’s all I can ask for as a coach.”
The Gamecocks were without starting guards Myles Stute and Jamarii Thomas due to injuries but still managed to stay in the game, thanks largely to a stellar performance from Collin Murray-Boyles, who led all scorers with 25 points. South Carolina held a one-point lead with under two minutes remaining before Auburn’s Tahaad Pettiford set up Dylan Cardwell for the go-ahead dunk and later iced the game with clutch free throws.
Beamer praised his team’s defensive effort and resilience, highlighting their ability to hang tough against a powerhouse opponent. “We knew Auburn was going to be a challenge—they’re the No. 2 team in the country for a reason. But I thought our guys matched their intensity and didn’t back down,” he said.
He also credited Auburn’s response to adversity, as the Tigers lost their star forward Johni Broome to an ankle injury in the second half. “Credit to Bruce [Pearl] and his team. Losing a player like Broome is tough, but they found a way to make plays when it mattered most,” Beamer added.
The Gamecocks will aim to turn the corner in their next SEC matchup. “We’re building something here,” Beamer said. “If we keep playing with this kind of effort, good things will happen. I believe in these guys.”
