Mississippi State’s 81-76 win over South Carolina on Wednesday included the most points the Gamecocks have allowed since Feb. 21 of last year.
The Bulldogs, at 51.7 percent, also became just the third USC opponent this season to make more than half of its field goal attempts.
Justin Minaya, in a boot, watched the performance from the end of USC’s bench.
“Not having him hurts us, hurts us defensively, hurts us discipline-wise,” South Carolina coach Frank Martin said of losing his freshman forward to a sprained ankle. “He’s usually in the right spot.