Georgia basketball: What went right and wrong in the loss to South Carolina

The swing: Four foul outs

The real killer Wednesday night was having four starters foul out. Jordan Harris fouled out after playing just 10 minutes. Camara fouled out before overtime began and Hammonds fouled out two minutes into overtime. Wheeler fouled out after two questionable fouls within the last four seconds of the game.

Georgia had been soft in the paint all night, losing Camara and Hammonds only amplified that issue. Harris’ foul trouble kept an experienced senior off the floor. Georgia missed all three dearly in overtime.

That was most apparent on a South Carolina possession which began with 1:27 left in overtime. The Gamecocks missed a three-pointer, but without Hammonds or Camara, South Carolina grabbed the rebound. The Gamecocks took another three-pointer and missed again. This time, a South Carolina player ran in to tip the shot in. That sequence gave South Carolina an 87-85 lead.

Wheeler however, committed his fourth foul with four seconds on the clock and his last foul with a second to go. Both were questionable and both led to South Carolina putting the game away. As time dwindled down and South Carolina leading 92-90, Wheeler drove the lane for a game-tying layup, but he was called for a charge on a collision that looked like it could be called either way.

The Gamecocks heaved a deep pass from the baseline and after their own player caught it, it appeared as though he took three steps before starting his dribble. Instead of calling a travel, the officials called a soft foul on Wheeler. South Carolina made both free throws to extend its lead to 94-90.