In the second half, Meeks made three big free throws with six minutes remaining that helped fuel the team's successful comeback down the stretch.
Although the Gamecocks opened the final 20 minutes with a 12-0 run, Meeks said the Cats responded and didn't give in to the Gamecocks' deliberate style.
"Every team will make a runs," he said. "You just have to withstand it and keep fighting. It's not over until it's over. There was too much time left (in the game)."
Meeks, making his first Southeastern Conference start of the season, finished with 13 points, while playing 38 minutes. Meeks also dished out three assists and pulled down five rebounds.
"We just had to find a way to win today," Meeks said.
Despite the Gamecocks' 1-4 mark in the conference, Meeks wasn't surprised by South Carolina's gritty performance. He expected it.
"Every game is going to be tough," he said. "Everybody's good, everybody's covering each other. We came in today knowing it's going to be a tough one."
As for Crawford, Meeks said he missed not having his classmate on the court, but said the team bonded together and found comfort through Crawford's sideline cheers.
"We always miss Joe," he said. "He's one of the most important people on the team, but as a team we said we had to tough this one out."
Not only did the team get tough, but Meeks did as well.
Although he missed two minutes because of leg cramps, Meeks fought through it and helped the Cats "find a way to win."
"We came in today knowing it's going to be a tough one," he said.
Afterward, Meeks said he was OK and is getting used to playing at less-than full strength.
"I am a little sore, but I probably won't be 100 percent for a while," he said. "I just try to tough it out and play as hard as I can. I wish I was at 100 percent."
Meeks said the team is coming together and added that players are getting used to Gillispie's style. Meeks said the progress is ongoing.
"You just have to keep buying into what coach is saying," he said. "It's paying off. We've just got to keep winning."
Following a stretch of two straight home victories, the Cats will play at Georgia on Saturday, followed by a road encounter at Auburn on Feb. 6.
Until then, Meeks said the team will continue to log plenty of minutes on the practice floor in an effort to get better as the season progresses.
"We have to prepare for those dogfights on the road," he said. "We juts have to keep doing what we've been doing and keep knocking down shots. The road is tough. Every team in this league is good."
