South Carolina women's basketball: Gamecocks rout the Longhorns with a defensive gem

South Carolina dominated Texas 67-50 to prove that the teams may change, but the SEC still runs through Columbia.

South Carolina used an 11-2 first-quarter run to take a lead it would never surrender. Playing without its best post player Ashlyn Watkins, South Carolina turned to its speed, quickness, and shooting ability to counter Texas’ size advantage. 

Texas outrebounded South Carolina by eight in the first quarter, three in the first half, but was outrebounded by two for the game. It didn’t matter because the Longhorns couldn’t shoot within forty acres of the basket.

“I thought South Carolina was really good today. They were much tougher, much more aggressive, and much more disciplined,” Vic Schaefer said. “We talked about trying not to get popped first. We got hit first, and second, and third.”

Texas dug its 4-26 in the first quarter to dig itself an early double-digit hole. The Longhorns improved slightly as the game went on, but still shot just 28% and went 12-36 on layups. They never had a run bigger than 4-0.

“Our guards played defense really well,” said Sania Feagin, who had a career-high six blocks. “We always tell them that we have their back. If you need help, we have your help.”

On the other end, Texas did a better job slowing down Jack Sawyer than it did keeping South Carolina out of the paint. South Carolina shot 63% in the first quarter and 77% in the second quarter. South Carolina finally cooled off in the second half, but still shot 51% for the game.

South Carolina also hit 12-15 from the foul line while Texas was just 5-10.

Texas starts 6-4 Taylor Jones in the middle with 6-6 Kyla Oldacre coming off the bench. Both had a size advantage on South Carolina, especially the physical Oldacre. But South Carolina’s post trio of Chloe Kitts, Sania Feagin, and Joyce Edwards made them work on defense, spaced the floor, and did their best to battle on defense. 

“I’m really proud of them,” Dawn Staley said. “They’re playing together. They’re playing for Ashlyn. They’re playing to make sure people don’t look at us as not contenders.”

Oldacre ended up as the only Longhorn in double figures, with 11 points and 16 rebounds, but she was limited to 20 minutes by foul trouble and struggled to chase the Gamecocks around on defense. 

Feagin, who finished with eight points, nine rebounds, and those six blocks, hit back-to-back mid-range jumpers in the first quarter that immediately changed the flow of the game. 

[South Carolina-LSU WBB: Win tickets]

“That is what we’ve been trying to get from Feagin for three years,” Staley said. “I think it’s just her talent as well as will.”

Kitts added 11 points and six rebounds, while Edwards had 10 points off the bench. 

South Carolina held Madison Booker to seven points on 3-19 shooting. Multiple players guarded Booker, including Kitts, but Bree Hall had the primary assignment. 

“I was watching a lot of her game last night on YouTube, looking at her highlights and studying what she does,” Hall said. “My teammates and the coaches have put a lot of confidence in me. Just trusting myself and making sure I trusted my help, my teammates on the the help side.”

Booker missed some easy layups, but most of the credit goes to Hall and the Gamecock defense.

“She had a really off night. Part of that was us, part of that was she was missing chippies,” Staley said. “Part of that was the luck of the CLA’s being put on the rim for her.”

“You’ve got to give her a little grace. She’s 19-years old, she’s a sophomore in college. You’re going to have some of these,” Schaefer said. “I don’t worry too much about her. Today was not her day, but it wasn’t any of our day.”

Rori Harmon had nine points on 4-11 shooting, but only two assists against two turnovers. On the other end, South Carolina rotated point guard duties between Raven Johnson (eight points, 10 rebounds, three assists), Te-Hina Paopao (11 points, four rebounds), MiLaysia Fulwiley (eight points, four rebounds, three steals), and even Edwards.

Notes:

During the game, South Carolina recognized 50 years of women’s athletics. Former athletes were honored on the court at halftime. A reception was held earlier on Sunday. … Scouts from the Indiana Fever, Atlanta Dream, and Minnesota Lynx were credentialed for the game. …Rapper Plies attended the game and sat courtside. … Maryam Dauda got into the game early. She missed an open three and layup. … South Carolina went 3-7 from three. Texas was 1-5. … Adhel Tac got in later and also missed layup. … Maddy McDaniel was available but did not play. Sakima Walker did not play. … South Carolina won despite giving up 16 points on 22 turnovers and only getting eight points off 12 turnovers. Texas only got three fast break points. … Dawn Staley’s outfit: Staley wore a Randall Cunningham Kelly green Eagles jacket. … Announced attendance was 18,000, making it officially the second sellout of the season. … South Carolina’s next game is Thursday at Alabama.

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