COLUMBIA, S.C. (Interstat) — South Carolina pulled away in the second half to defeat The Citadel 71-55 in a nonconference men’s basketball game Saturday at Colonial Life Arena.

The Gamecocks led 35-28 at halftime and maintained control throughout, holding the Bulldogs to 36.8% shooting from the floor. Meechie Johnson led South Carolina with 19 points. Citadel’s Carter Kingsbury scored a team-high 18 points in the loss.

South Carolina improved to 7-3 overall, while The Citadel fell to 3-8.