South Carolina’s third straight loss included the debut of walk-on freshman Nathan Nelson.
The Gamecocks — as depleted as ever — ran out of gas in a 78-63 loss to Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.
USC dropped to 14-15 overall, 9-7 in the SEC and 0-1 without A.J. Lawson. The star freshman guard is out at least one more game after suffering a “severe low ankle sprain” on Tuesday against Alabama. It gave the Gamecocks nine available players against the Tigers (13-15, 4-12). With 9:03 left in the second half, Nelson checked in after Chris Silva picked up his fourth foul.