South Carolina women's basketball: Seniors lead a late run to pull away from South Dakota State

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South Carolina overcame poor shooting and pulled away from South Dakota State in the second half for a 62-44 win.

Both teams struggled to shoot the ball early. South Dakota State’s first field goal didn’t come until 6:28 remained in the first quarter, and South Carolina’s came about 30 seconds later. At the first media timeout, the score was a dismal 4-2, with the teams a combined 2-15 shooting. 

The Jackrabbits led 8-7 late in the first quarter when Dawn Staley turned to her jumbo lineup with Aliyah Boston, Kamilla Cardoso, and Laeticia Amihere. A steal and layup by Amihere put the Gamecocks back in front. She sparked a 7-0 run that spanned the quarter break and put the Gamecocks ahead for good.

Boston and Cardoso dominated the second quarter. Boston scored eight points while Cardoso shipped in four points and five rebounds. They helped South Carolina stretch the lead to 29-20 at halftime. 

South Carolina stretched the lead to 15 midway through the third quarter but did not score over the final 4:56 of the quarter. That allowed South Dakota State to creep back within 41-32 after three. 

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“We knew they weren’t going to go away,” Staley said. Sometimes we hurt ourselves. We took some ill-advised shots that put us out of transition defense and they got some defense. We weren’t as disciplined. We gave them some and-ones when we should have just given up the bucket. Those were some momentum plays that we need to clean up.”

South Dakota State’s Myah Selland hit the Jackrabbits’ first three of the game, and then Dru Gylten made a pair of free throws to pull within 47-41. It was as close as they got.

“We just didn’t score with them,” Aaron Johnston said. “We were close in a lot of areas but not quite good enough to win.”

Kierra Fletcher stepped into a 20-foot jumper and then Brea Beal stole the inbounds pass for a layup. After South Dakota Stae missed a pair of free throws, Zia Cooke drained a three, ending a streak of eight straight misses. Fletcher and Cooke added baskets in the paint for an 11-0 run, the biggest run for either team in the game. 

“We were able to come together and say we need to stop transition buckets and take care of the ball,” Beal said, adding they never felt nervous. “For the ones that have been around a while, I think we were able to handle the job.”

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South Carolina finished the game on a 15-3 run.

Cooke led all scorers with 18 points. She struggled in the first half, shooting 1-9, but hit 6-9 in the second half. Boston added 12 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks. Cardoso had eight points, 15 rebounds, and four blocks. As effective as they were, South Carolina struggled to consistently get them the ball where they could score. 

“Our post players know they have to finish in a crowd,” Staley said. “Our job is, there is a time in a possession where you are transitioning from transition offense to running a set. That is the time that a defense is most vulnerable. We need to get our post players the ball at that time.”

When they struggled, it was Beal who picked up the slack. Beal had an exceptional all-around game, scoring nine points to go with six rebounds, three assists, and career-highs of six steals and five blocks.

“I don’t remember a game I’ve had like this,” Beal said. “When it comes to close games it just kind of comes naturally. You’re not thinking, oh I need to pressure, it’s just I don’t have time to sag off and play regular defense. You need to get the ball and get the ball to the rim.”

Selland led South Dakota State with 12 points, and the Jackrabbits did an admirable job of keeping South Carolina off the glass. The Gamecocks were just plus-seven rebounding, and only had 12 second-chance points on 17 offensive rebounds. 

“That’s an NCAA (tournament) team,” Staley said. “That’s a team that is going to upset a lot of people in the tournament.”

BOX SCORE

Notes:

Due to the grinding pace, Staley leaned heavily on her veterans. Raven Johnson played just six minutes, Sania Feagin played just three, and Ashlyn Watkins did not make an appearance until the final minute. … Bree Hall played 15 minutes, but had her worst shooting game of the season, going 1-8. … South Carolina finished the game shooting 34.3% from the floor, but holding South Dakota State to 27.3%. South Carolina was plus-seven in turnovers and plus-seven in points off turnovers. Freshman Chloe Kitts traveled but did not play. … Aliyah Boston braids report: Boston changed her braids for the first time this season, going with a festive red and green split down the middle. … Dawn Staley fit report: Staley wore a black Gucci hoodie. … Announced attendance was 2,369. … South Carolina returns home to face Charleston Southern on Sunday.

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