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The win means the Gamecocks will represent the CRL in the South Championships later this month.
It was 17-3 at halftime in favor of USC, but they took their foot off the gas in the second frame and allowed the Tigers to get back into the game.
South Carolina scored three tries, all in the first half, by Corey Benov, Anthony Hughes and Steve Hengehold.
As has been the case for much of the season, USC’s proficiency at the pick and drive set the platform for the victory.
“The ball was bouncing around and passes didn’t go to hand,” South Carolina head coach Geoff Mason told ARN. “It wasn’t a pretty effort, but a win’s a win.”
Elsewhere, North Carolina wrapped up its CRL season with a big 64-0 shutout of East Carolina University in Chapel Hill, NC.
The Tar Heels led 29-0 at the half, mainly due to the forwards playing well. On top of that, UNC’s discipline was a much improved aspect of their game as they gave away a miserly six penalties on the night.
Jacob Rierson, who was among the UNC try-scorers, was named the MVP for his outstanding efforts all over the park. Flyhalf Gregor MacLennan again turned in another solid performance for UNC, while center Justin Bourgeois played well in a losing cause for ECU.
“We’re just glad to finish the season off as we did,” said North Carolina head coach Mike Groenewald. “It was nice to give the seniors a going away gift as it were, but ECU never gave up.”
Regardless of whether NC State finishes on top of the CRL standings on points, South Carolina will go to the South Championships as the #4 seed as it will end the regular season as the highest placed Division I school.
NC State, a DII side, will contest the South’s Second Division championships.