A 3-point barrage by South Carolina sunk Rider in its first game of the Hoops for Hope Classic.

The Gamecocks came in shooting 22 percent from beyond the arc, but hit 13 Monday night, propelling themselves to an 88-76 victory over the Broncs at Colonial Life Arena.

Nurideen Lindsey matched a career high with 26 points — 19 in the second half —  Jon Thompson scored 14 and Anthony Myles 13 for Rider (2-2), which continues its four-game road trip Wednesday night at SMU.

Brenton Williams tallied a career-high 22 points for the Gamecocks (3-0). Williams was 5 of 8 on 3-point tries.

The Broncs shot 50.9 percent, repeatedly driving the ball to the basket. They scored 22 of their first 27 points in the second half from the paint.

But South Carolina kept them at arms length with the 3-point shot. LaShay Page finished with 12 points — all from the 3-point line. As a team, it hit 13 of 27 for 48.1 percent.

The Gamecocks built the lead to 20 — although it was between eight and 14 points for most of the second half — with 2:58 remaining before Rider finished on a 10-2 run.

South Carolina led by seven at halftime.

Coach Kevin Baggett and Lindsey received technical fouls in the first half 

AROUND THE MAAC

Illinois-Chicago 86, Iona 81: Gaels blew out Wake Forest, then lost to team picked eighth in Horizon League.

Lehigh 82, Fairfield 67: C.J. McCollum scored 30-plus points for the second time this season.