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South Carolina women's basketball: Rapid Reaction - Wofford

On3 imageby:Chris Wellbaum12/29/24

ChrisWellbaum

maryam-dauda_54145916027_o-South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball vs East Carolina Pirates-Nov 17 2024-Credit CJ Driggers GamecockCentral
Maryam Dauda | South Carolina women's basketball vs. East Carolina | Nov. 17, 2024 | C.J. Driggers/GamecockCentral.com

South Carolina used a pair of big runs to take care of Wofford 93-47. Here’s what stood out from the final game before SEC play.

– South Carolina’s first half was probably its best half of basketball since TCU. The defense was focused and disruptive. Even though the Gamecocks didn’t shoot lights out, they shared the ball, crashed the glass, and scored off of turnovers to make up for it.

South Carolina held Wofford to 2-19 shooting in the second quarter and just 16% overall. The Terriers made just one two-point basket. South Carolina had 15 points off of eight turnovers, 16 fast break points, and 28 paint points. Outside of shooting 5-16 from three, there wasn’t much wrong with that half.

The third quarter was a little shaky, but South Carolina controlled the fourth quarter again. No doubt Dawn Staley feels better now than she did after practice on Saturday.

– South Carolina’s three-point shooting is a bit concerning, however. South Carolina was 10-31 from behind the arc, for 32%. To start with, 31 threes is too many. But also Te-HIna Paopao went 2-6, Bree Hall was 1-6, and Tessa Johnson was 2-8. You expect to get close to 40% shooting from those three, not 25%.

You also don’t want 20 threes combined from them. I liked that after Johnson missed her first four threes, she focused on getting to the basket, but she still ended up with eight attempts. 

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Also, MiLaysia Fulwiley shot 3-7 from behind the arc, but she only took one two-point shot, a layup with 1:33 left in the third. She’s so good of the dribble that even when she shoots well it lets opponents off the hook when she settles for threes.

– Staley gave Maryam Dauda the entire fourth quarter to try to make an impact and the results were mixed. Dauda had nine points and five rebounds plus hit her only three-point attempt. But she shot just 1-5, had a turnover, and got pushed around inside by the much smaller Terriers.

As a result, I’m not sure anything changes. Dauda showed she brings something to the table, but she wasn’t better than Sania Feagin, Chloe Kitts, Ashlyn Watkins, or Joyce Edwards.

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