Puerto Vallarta, MX (Sports Network) - LaShay Page scored a game-high 22 points to help push the South Carolina Gamecocks to a 74-67 overtime win against the Missouri State Bears in the semifinals of the Hoops for Hope Classic at the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center.

Also scoring in double figures for the Gamecocks (4-1) were reserves Michael Carrera and Brian Richardson with 18 and 14 points, respectively.

The Bears (2-3) were led by Marcus Marshall who delivered 17 points and Anthony Downing and Christian Kirk who both chipped in 16 in the losing cause.

Missouri State opened the meeting on an 11-3 run, the eight-point advantage its largest of the game, but USC stayed close by converting a sizzling 72.7 percent from the field. Despite hitting just 2-of-8 shots behind the three- point line in the first half, the Bears maintained a 33-28 advantage at the break.

In the second half it was a pair of free throws by Marshall with just over 10 seconds remaining that gave Missouri State a three-point edge at 58-55, but a desperation three-pointer by Carrera at the buzzer forced the game into overtime.

In the extra session Marshall scored the first points of the period, but from there the Gamecocks controlled the action on the way to the seven-point win.

South Carolina overcame 25 turnovers and just four offensive rebounds by outscoring the visitors 22-16 at the charity stripe.

With the victory, South Carolina will now clash with the winner of the Arkansas-Little Rock/SMU matchup in the championship round on Sunday.

GAME NOTES:

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