South Carolina women's basketball: Freshmen shine (and dunk) and defense dominates

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South Carolina’s smothering defense made up for an inconsistent offensive effort and the Gamecocks beat Charleston Southern 87-23. South Carolina came close to setting multiple defensive records, but Charleston Southern did just enough in the fourth quarter to avoid further ignominy.

Charleston Southern’s six points in the first half were the third-fewest South Carolina has ever allowed in the first half, behind the four points scored by Howard in the NCAA Tournament last season and two points scored by Ole Miss in 2020.

The 23 total points are the second-fewest South Carolina has ever allowed. Twice the Gamecocks have allowed 21 points, to SC State in 2011 and to Howard last season. Charleston Southern was outrebounded 53-22, which appears to be one of the five lowest rebounding totals, but is not one of the five worst rebounding margins. 

Charleston Southern shot 8-50 from the floor, 16.0%. That is tied with NC Central in 2013 for the third-lowest shooting percentage. The Bucs only committed 15 turnovers, and coach Clarisse Garcia was generally happy with how they played.

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“We took the right shots,” she said. “She also didn’t press us, so thank you, Dawn.”

South Carolina got the usual contributions from the usual suspects. Aliyah Boston earned her seventh double-double of the season with 10 points and 13 rebounds in just 21 minutes. Zia Cooke scored a game-high 16 points and chipped in three rebounds and three assists. Brea Beal added 10 points and seven rebounds and hit 2-4 from three.

But it was the new faces that stole the show. 

Ashlyn Watkins dunked for the second time this season when she ran out after a turnover and slipped the ball over the rim. She nearly had another dunk later but settled for a finger roll. Watkins finished with eight points and five rebounds.

She also had a nice assist to Talaysia Cooper for two of Cooper’s 14 points. Cooper also had three assists and three steals, and Dawn Staley said she “was really good on both sides of the ball today.”

However, they took were overshadowed by the newest freshman, Chloe Kitts. Kitts checked in with 2:20 left in the first quarter. She was greeted with a big cheer that she did her best to tune out.

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“I was scared to look around, so I didn’t look around. We always have a good crowd,” Kitts said. “When I got out there I was like ‘Oh my gosh!’ I was sweating already and I hadn’t played. It’s good when you have a good support system and all the girls around me are very supportive of me.”

After a couple of tentative possessions, she was fouled on an offensive rebound and made a free throw. After that, she seemed to settle in and started making plays.

“When it was the end of the quarter, after the free throws and all the girls were hyping me. I felt less nervous and I can relax now.”

Kitts finished with 10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals. She was active all over the court and showed her entire repertoire. Kitts hit a trail three in the second quarter, led a fast break, and crashed the offensive glass.

“Chloe did great. We expanded her package on the fly. Sometimes you want to force players to think about things, see if she can execute under pressure, see if you can change defenses and see how she processes things,” Staley said. “We’re going to push the envelope a little bit in games and see how she does.”

BOX SCORE

Notes:

Prior to the game, Aliyah Boston was presented with the 2022 Honda Cup by Jenny Gilger from Collegiate Women’s Sport Awards. The Honda Cup was awarded over the summer and is given to the top female college athlete, regardless of sport. Boston is the first winner in school history. … Kierra Fletcher appeared to injure her left thigh early in the third quarter. She went to the locker room and came back to the bench wearing a wrap. Staley said she aggravated an old quad injury and could have played, but there was no reason to put her back in. … Raven Johnson, Leticia Amihere, and Sania Feagin warmed up but did not play. Staley said, I decided not to play them,” but added that it was a one-game decision. … Kamilla Cardoso had six points and eight rebounds. … South Carolina will play a return game in Charleston next season. … Aliyah Boston braids report: Boston wore her red and green Christmas braids. … Dawn Staley fit report: Staley wore a black hoodie with a gold emblem. … Announced attendance was 11,267. … South Carolina’s next game is a Wednesday matinee against Coastal Carolina. Then the Gamecocks are off for Christmas.

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