South Carolina women's basketball: South Carolina handles Benedict 123-32

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South Carolina routed Benedict 123-32 in an exhibition Monday night. 

To no one’s surprise, South Carolina had little problem with overmatched Benedict, but the Gamecocks looked deep, athletic, and versatile. 

Point guards Raven Johnson and Kierra Fletcher, who are both coming off season-ending injuries, warmed up but did not play. Without them, Zia Cooke started at point guard and the Gamecocks rotated a handful of players running the offense. Aside from Cooke, Laeticia Amihere, who started three games at point guard last season, and freshman Talaysia Cooper got turns running point.

“I like what we’re getting from them,” Staley said, but she added, “we’re not even whole yet.”

With Johnson and Fletcher watching, South Carolina still has to figure out its point guard rotation before the season opener next Monday. Staley made it sound like Johnson could have played. Fletcher isn’t as close, but she is improving.

“Each day she’s getting better. She’s getting into some reps but it’s not a whole lot,” Staley said.

“Raven’s good. I just decided not to play her today.”

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Sania Feagin hasn’t been talked about much this offseason, but she may have had the most impressive performance. She started the game and finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four steals. Feagin saw only limited minutes last season while she focused on getting stronger, but coming out of high school she was considered by some to be the most talented player with the most significant upside in the class. She looked like it Monday night. Feagin was strong in the paint, active on defense, and ran the break like a point guard. 

“Feagin (made) just a 180,” Staley said. “She sacrificed and made the commitment to stay here over the summer. She got in shape, got stronger. She’s talented, but we just didn’t see that last year. Obviously, she’s turned that around.”

South Carolina got its first look at freshmen Cooper and Ashlyn Watkins in a game situation, and they did not disappoint. Watkins looked comfortable whether she was in the paint or the open court. She finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, and two steals before fouling out in 15 minutes. When Watkins and Feagin played together they were an explosive, versatile frontcourt duo. Cooper looked aggressive but under control, but was a menace on the defensive end. She finished with 11 points, nine rebounds, six assists, six steals, and two blocks. 

“Coop can do a little of everything. Once she gets in really great shape she can do it for long periods. She can defend, she can get to the basket, she can shoot it,” Staley said. “She’s got great court vision. She’s a utility player that can do a little bit of everything. The best thing about Coop is she competes.”

Things got chippy late in the second quarter. The shorter Tigers hit Feagin in the face a couple of times. The contact wasn’t necessarily intentional, but Feagin and Brea Beal thought it was excessive. After Leila Henderson fell into the back of Feagin’s knees going for a loose ball, Feagin and Beal started yelling at the Benedict players, and both teams were sent to their benches. Henderson was given a technical foul on the play and cooler heads prevailed.

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Cooke finished with a game-high 19 points on 6-11 shooting. There were no signs of the shooting slump that plagued her most of last season. Boston played only 20 minutes and had eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists. Amihere had 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists, but fouled out in 21 minutes.

South Carolina shot 50% from the field and held Benedict to 18% shooting. South Carolina only committed seven turnovers and got 39 points off 26 Benedict turnovers. The Gamecocks outrebounded the Tigers 70-29.

Notes:

Victaria Saxton did not play due to a minor foot injury. Staley said she is day-to-day. … South Carolina’s starting lineup was Cooke, Bree Hall, Beal, Feagin, and Boston. … At one point South Carolina had Amihere, Hall, Beal, Boston, and Cardoso in the game. The shortest player was 6-2. … Hall quietly added 19 points. … Cardoso had 10 points and eight rebounds. … In the third quarter, Cooke was fouled and knocked backward into Staley, stepping on her foot. Staley pretended to be hurt, so Cooke leaned over and dusted off Staley’s shoes. … Olivia Thompson scored 14 points and went 4-7 from three. … Adiyah Owens and Shakera Duncan each scored eight points to lead Benedict. … South Carolina opens the season on November 7 against East Tennessee State. The game is at 8:30, but the team will unveil the 2022 championship banner before the game.

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