Markeshia Grant: Gamecocks on to round of 32 with commanding win

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No Kamilla Cardoso or Breezy Hall. No problem. Next Gamecock up. South Carolina had five players in double figures scoring with Chloe Kitts leading the way with 21 points. Te-Hina Paopao added 18 points, MiLaysia Fulwiley added 17 points, Sania Feagin added 12 points and Tessa Johnson had 11 points. With a commanding 91-39 win over PC, South Carolina is on to the round of 32.

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Gamecock game highlights

MiLaysia Fulwiley

Fulwiley had a career-high five 3s and once again came off the bench to give South Carolina instant offense. She did an excellent job of reading the defense and knowing when to take the right shots. The game comes really easy to her, so it is exciting to see her playing with poise, reading and reacting to how the defense is playing her and thinking about the game at a very high level. She’s only a freshman! I’m so excited to see her growth!

Chloe Kitts

A perfect day for Chloe Kitts! 21 Points and 13 rebounds on 9 of 9 from the field. Kitts showed us exactly why she’s not an easy matchup for opponents at the forward position. She showed us her versatility by knocking down mid-range jumpers, getting to the basket, putting back layups off of offensive rebounds and timely blocked shots. She was aggressive, she was hungry and she made her presence felt. “I feel like [this game] was important for my confidence” said Kitts. This game will definitely help her play well going into the game against UNC. 

X-Factors against Presbyterian

Sania Feagin

Feagin got the start against Presbyterian and added 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Gamecocks. She was very effective in the mid-range and also attacking the basket. Additionally, she did a very good job defending Presbyterian’s leading scorer Bryanna Brady, holding her to just 5 points. 

Ashlyn Watkins

Watkins made her presence felt all over the basketball court and impacted the game in every statistical category against Presbyterian. She had 7 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 blocks and steals. 

Embrace the Journey: Round of 32

(1) South Carolina vs. (8) North Carolina 

The SEC vs. ACC challenge was the Gamecock’s first road game of their young season on Tobacco Road. Breezy Hall and Te-Hina Paopao hit some clutch shots down the stretch to secure the win. South Carolina won 65-58. 

Matchups to watch

Breezy Hall vs. Deja Kelly

Kelly is UNC’s most valuable player, so of course that defensive assignment will most likely given to Breezy Hall. She is known for being solid on defense and being disruptive any way that she can. The key for Breezy is to make Kelly uncomfortable by not allowing her to get to the mid-range which is her sweet spot. Also, play her “honest” meaning that she will create contact on drives to the basket, she uses ball screens well and she will spot up in transition looking to knock down open 3s. 

Kamilla Cardoso vs. Maria Gakdeng

The matchup between these two bigs will be an important part of this game. Both bigs were in foul trouble the last time they played. However, both have made improvements. The upside is that Kamilla is well rested and she is ready to be back on the court. The key for Cardoso is to do what she does best in running the floor in transition, finishing around the rim, making two moves when necessary, defend without fouling, and making sure she rebounds/boxes out. 

Ashlyn Watkins/Chloe Kitts/Sania Feagin vs. Alyssa Utsby

South Carolina’s forward position is one of its greatest advantages because they have so much depth. I think the Gamecocks will defend Utsby by committee. She’s UNC’s most active player. She gets timely rebounds and she hustles on every possession. The key to defending Utsby would be to keep her off the offensive glass, find her after every shot attempt and box out, guard her without fouling and be ready for her up-and-under moves. 

Keys to Win

• Keep the main thing, the main thing.
  • The main thing is to take one game at a time and to win. Survive and advance.
• Dedicate the pace of the game
  • UNC likes to slow the game down on the defensive end and make you play their style of basketball. So, it will be imperative for South Carolina to dictate the pace of the game by getting out in transition.
• Man-to-man defense and depth
  • South Carolina needs to make sure they defend without fouling and making sure they aren’t allowing UNC to get any easy or open looks. Especially their 3 point shooters. Also, the Gamecocks depth will be imperative in wearing UNC down for 4 quarters. 
• Bench production
  • The Gamecocks bench has been an advantage for them all year long. South Carolina is averaging roughly 33 bench points per game. Which is 2nd in the country behind Murray State. Last time out versus UNC, South Carolina had 10 bench points. 
• Rebounding
  • South Carolina out rebounds its opponents by 12 rebounds per game. They out rebounded the Tar Heels by 7 the first time they played each other earlier this season.
• Take care of the basketball
  • The Gamecocks did a really great job of taking care of the basketball the last time out against UNC. They had just 13 turnovers. With that in mind, they will just need to make good decisions offensively and make the right reads. 
• Share the basketball
  • The Gamecocks are sharing the ball well in the postseason. I think they just need to continue to find the best shot on the floor. 

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