This week in South Carolina women's basketball
South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley has helped her team rebound from their only regular season loss (a November defeat at the hands of UCLA). Since then, the Gamecocks are 9-0, including a 2-0 start to SEC play last week. USC is No. 2 in the AP poll but No. 1 in the updated NET rankings. Below is a brief overview of South Carolina’s previous week and a look ahead to what’s to come next week.
[USC-Texas WBB: Win tickets, parking]
South Carolina Gamecocks rout Missouri Tigers with huge second half
The first half was slow for both teams, but the Gamecocks came out ahead by 10 points, nonetheless. The Gamecocks effort was fueled by a dominant effort on the boards (48-27) and a strong 25-for-32 day from the free throw line.
Overall, MiLaysia Fulwiley and Ashlyn Watkins were the top performers for the Gamecocks. Fulwiley scored 17 points, pulled down four rebounds, added two steals, blocked two shots, and dished out two assists. Watkins had an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Te-Hina Paopao and Tessa Johnson cracked double figures, too, and reserve center Adhel Tac had nine points, six rebounds, and one block in just five minutes of action. A 17-0 run that carried from the third period to the fourth put the game out of reach in favor of the Gamecocks.
Result: South Carolina won 83-52.
South Carolina Gamecocks win big over Mississippi State Bulldogs
Following a bad opening quarter for the team, South Carolina dominated and outscored the Bulldogs by more than 35 points the rest of the way. Tessa Johnson led the charge with a career-high 22 points. Chloe Kitts also chipped in a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Te-Hina Paopao and Joyce Edwards scored in double figures, as well.
The Gamecocks forced 20 Bulldog turnovers and dished out 20 assists. Raven Johnson had a well-rounded performance, scoring nine points, dishing out five assists, pulling down five rebounds, and logging five steals.
Top 10
- 1
Historic upset of No. 1 Vols
Florida makes history
- 2New
Cotton Bowl weather threat
Emergency management consulted
- 3
Joel Klatt
Kicking dirt on the SEC
- 4Hot
Herbstreit almost left CGD
Saban, McAfee helped stop the move
- 5
Booger McFarland
Taking issue with Steve Sarkisian
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Forward Ashlyn Watkins left the game with an apparent knee injury. There has not been an official update on the junior All-SEC contributor, but her father described Watkins as “fine” on social media.
Result: South Carolina won 95-68.
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What’s next for South Carolina women’s basketball this week
South Carolina has two more Southeastern conference contests coming up this week. Both Texas A&M and Texas will come to Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks have won 49 regular-season conference games in a row.
On Thursday, January 9th, the Aggies and Gamecocks will take the floor at 5:00 p.m. ESPN2 will broadcast the game, while the ESPN app will make it available via streaming.
Then, on Sunday, January 12, the No. 5-ranked Longhorns and No. 2 Gamecocks will battle for the driver’s seat in the SEC. The 1:00 tilt will be on ESPN and the ESPN app.
