Ashlyn Watkins dunks in South Carolina women's basketball's blowout of Kentucky
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Ashlyn Watkins dunked, MiLaysia Fulwiley wowed, and South Carolina used a monster second quarter to blow out Kentucky 98-36 and remain undefeated.
South Carolina led just 17-13 after the first quarter and looked like the careless team Dawn Staley had ripped into a week earlier, not a 44.5-point favorite.
“I thought we were steady in the first quarter, stuck to our game plan, played extremely hard,” Kyra Elzy said. “I didn’t think we played to our capability for the duration of the game.”
Whether Staley lit into them again after the first quarter or took a different approach, it worked.
South Carolina clamped down defensively, forcing eight consecutive misses, and started the second quarter on a 14-0 run before Kentucky called a timeout.
Freshmen Tessa Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley combined to make three consecutive three-pointers to start the run, including a four-point play from Fulwiley.
South Carolina outscored Kentucky 29-8 in the quarter to turn the game into a blowout. South Carolina held Kentucky to just 3-16 shooting in the second, while hitting 11-17 and 5-7 from three.
The third quarter was more of the same. Te-Hina Paopo and Bree Hall hit from behind the arc, the frontcourt controlled the paint, and the defense continued to stifle the Wildcats. The Gamecocks shot 13-16 and scored on all but four possessions. They held the Wildcats to 4-13 shooting and forced nine turnovers, winning the quarter 33-11.
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South Carolina finished the game shooting 58.8% from the floor and from behind the arc. The Gamecocks had 22 assists on 40 made baskets.
“Anytime our lead guards are able to complete passes and have low turnovers it creates an edge,” Staley said. “They scored too.”
Kentucky shot 24.6% and 22.2% from three. South Carolina had 34 points off 24 Kentucky turnovers and did not allow a point off of their 14. South Carolina was plus-14 rebounding.
Saniah Tyler led Kentucky with 13 points. Ajae Petty was held to two points, 14 below her season average. Maddie Scherr had nine points on 3-19 shooting.
South Carolina had six players hit double figures, led by Fulwiley and Paopao with 14. Kamilla Cardoso had 12 points, 11 rebounds, five blocks, and three assists. The Johnsons each had 11 points, with Raven adding six assists and Tessa going 3-4 from three. Watkins finished with 10 points and eight rebounds.
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During pregame warmups, Watkins missed her first two dunk attempts before stuffing the third. That was all the warmup she needed.
Watkins stole the ball from Kentucky’s Amiya Jenkins at the top of the key, dribbled the length of the court, and dunked before Jenkins could chase her down. The dunk earned a standing ovation that lasted nearly another minute.
“I don’t really think about what I’m going to do, like, oh I’m about to go try to dunk it,” Watkins said. “I got a steal and I was like, why not try it.”
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Watkins also dunked twice last season, once against Clemson and once against Charleston Southern. She is the only player in program history to dunk in a game.
“I’ve been doing this in high school. It’s really nothing new to me,” she said. “I did it last year, but this one was better.”
“She’s normalized it for us. I saw her pick up the ball and I’m like, okay, she’s going to dunk,” Staley said. “I’m going to tell her to impress me and do it in the halfcourt.”
South Carolina entered the game 44.5-point favorites, but after an upset-filled week, nothing was certain. Last week previously unbeaten Baylor lost twice and UCLA fell to Southern Cal.
In the SEC, the three teams who entered Sunday with 3-0 records all lost. That leaves the Gamecocks all alone at the top.
Related: South Carolina-Kentucky WBB Box Score
South Carolina-Kentucky WBB Notes
Vice President Kamala Harris attended South Carolina’s shootaround and spoke to the team. Harris also spoke to Kentucky. … All eleven Gamecocks played and all but Sakima Walker scored. … Former Gamecock Eniya Russell had six points, two rebounds, and four turnovers for Kentucky. … South Carolina had the ball with 40 seconds left, but Staley instructed the team to take a shot clock violation instead of going for 100 points. … South Carolina beat Vanderbilt 106-43 in 2021, believed to be the largest margin of victory for an SEC game in program history. … Dawn Staley’s outfit: Staley wore a retro Michael Vick Eagles jersey. … Announced attendance was 15,929. … South Carolina does not play on Thursday and returns to action next Sunday at Texas A&M.
