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South Carolina women's basketball: Balanced scoring leads Gamecocks to a 78-62 win over USF

On3 imageby:Chris Wellbaumabout 18 hours

ChrisWellbaum

South Carolina women's basketball stars Raven Johnson, Te-Hina Paopao, Tessa Johnson, and Chloe Kitts after the Gamecocks beat top-10 Duke. Photo by: Katie Dugan | GamecockCentral

Five Gamecocks scored in double figures and #3 South Carolina used a balanced attack to beat South Florida 78-62 in the first game back from the exam break.

The Gamecocks got off to a fast start and led 18-4 midway through the first quarter. Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall both hit two three-pointers during the run, and the Gamecocks assisted on six of their seven baskets in that span.

“There were times when we really played connected basketball and really found the best shot on the floor,” Dawn Staley said. “We need to continue to do that in longer stretches.”

South Carolina led 24-12 after the first quarter, but South Florida made a run in the second quarter by slowing the game and hitting tough shots.

The Bulls pulled within seven points, but the Gamecocks answered with a 7-0 run to retake control. 

In the third quarter, South Carolina used a fullcourt press to disrupt South Florida and speed up the game again. 

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“We tried to pick our spots and speed the game up, pressing a little bit, just keeping them off balance,” Staley said. “I thought we did a good job of that.”

Forwards Sania Feagin, Chloe Kitts, Ashlyn Watkins, and Joyce Edwards scored 18 of the Gamecocks’ 21 third-quarter points.

“The game didn’t have – at some points it was choppy. It didn’t have a lot of flow,” Jose Fernandez said. “I knew the third quarter was going to be big, especially the first five minutes.”

All four forwards finished with double-figure points. Edwards had a career-high 15 points along with two rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Feagin had a season-high 14 points. Kitts had 10 points, six rebounds, and three assists. Watkins had 10 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks.  

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“Just my teammates finding me. Just being ready for any and everything,” Feagin said.

“It was me and Sania with more opportunities this game but next game it could be Lay, Chloe, Raven, anybody,” Edwards said. “That’s one of the special things about our team. Anybody could go off on any day.”

Paopao also had 10 points and Hall had nine points. South Carolina had 20 assists on 31 baskets and shot 51.7%. USF shot 39.1%. South Carolina had 19 points off 15 USF turnovers and only allowed 10 off 12 turnovers. The Gamecocks also had 20 fast break points. 

Twelve Gamecocks played and 10 scored, giving the Gamecocks 32 bench points. 

“The difference with South Carolina is their depth,” Fernandez said. “There’s not a lot of dropoff with substitution patterns.”

Staley emptied the bench in the fourth, and the reserves did not play well. USF outscored South Carolina 21-14 in the fourth quarter. 

Sammie Puisis had 19 points to lead USF. The Bulls had 17 offensive rebounds but only 12 second-chance points. 

Notes:

Sakima Walker did not play. She is day-to-day with an ankle injury. … Tessa Johnson and Maddy McDaniel both went 0-3 but scored on free throws. Adhel Tac and Maryam Dauda did not score. … Raven Johnson had a season-high six assists. … South Carolina will play at USF next season. … This was the fourth game USF has played under Fernandez at Colonial Life Arena, but first regular season game. … Dawn Staley’s outfit: Staley wore an all black sweatsuit that zipped up the back. … Announced attendance was 16,501. … South Carolina’s next game is on Thursday against Charleston Southern.

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