Brian Richardson led an early 3-point assault and the South Carolina defense overwhelmed visiting Radford of the Big South Conference 85-56 on Friday night.

Stephen Spinella came off the bench for 15 points and three 3-pointers and Richardson added 11 points for the Gamecocks (2-1), who are coming off an 82-73 defeat against No. 2 Michigan State on Tuesday in which they shot under 36 percent from the floor.

South Carolina didn’t shoot much better in the first half Friday, connecting on 40.5 percent (15-of-37), but the Gamecocks got it done from the arc, hitting 7-of-16.

They broke open the game with a 3-point exhibition midway through the first half. Richardson drained two shots from the arc, Spinella knocked down another and freshman standout Bruce Ellington capped the barrage from deep that gave South Carolina a 37-16 lead with 5:47 to play in the first half.

Carolina held Radford to 32-percent shooting (8-of-25) in the first half, forced 16 turnovers and held a 12-5 edge on the offensive glass. That led to a 49-19 lead at the break and the Gamecocks cruised through the last 20 minutes.

The Gamecocks shot 42 percent (26-of-69) for the game and finished 11-of-31 from the arc.

Blake Smith scored 14 points for Radford (2-1), which beat a pair Division III programs to start the season.