Aliyah Boston, Kamilla Cardoso help the Gamecocks overcome a double-digit deficit
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South Carolina took advantage of its size in the fourth quarter, and a critical mistake by UCLA with less than 90 seconds to play sealed a 73-64 Gamecock win.
Kamilla Cardoso and Aliyah Boston were unstoppable in the fourth quarter. They combined for 15 points and seven rebounds, with Cardoso scoring ten points and blocking three shots on her own.
South Carolina had a narrow 60-56 lead with just over a minute to play. UCLA freshman Kiki Rice tried to knock the ball away from Laeticia Amihere and was called for a reach-in foul, sending Amihere to the line. In frustration, she slapped the ball away. Dawn Staley was immediately in the face of an official demanding a technical foul on Rice. Staley got the call, and South Carolina made all four free throws, plus one on the ensuing possession, to turn a four-point lead into a nine-point lead.
“You could tell on her face right away she knew lost her emotional control,” Cori Close said. “Of all the players I would not have expected that to happen to her. She wants to win.”
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UCLA shot over 50% from the floor for most of the first half and led 31-21 with 2:47 left before halftime. Led by Zia Cooke, South Carolina tightened things up defensively and held the Bruins to just 1-11 shooting to end the half. South Carolina scored the last six points to cut into the deficit.
In the third quarter, South Carolina pulled within two points on three separate occasions, but each time UCLA came up with a clutch shot to answer. South Carolina finally took the lead on back-to-back transition layups by Cardoso and Cooke, but Emily Bessoir hit a three and the game was tied at 47 going into the fourth.
UCLA again started the fourth quarter fast, but then South Carolina’s size took control. South Carolina outrebounded UCLA 48-42 (after being outrebounded 11-7 in the first quarter), had a 42-28 advantage in points in the paint, and blocked 15 shots. UCLA was just 11-27 on layups.
“They’re very deliberate,” Close said. “They went with three bigs and it was hard for us to pressure the ball enough or sit enough to actually get contest on especially Cardoso. They made great adjustments.”
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South Carolina did not know until shootaround if Boston would play due to a right ankle injury suffered Sunday. But once the game began, Boston looked every bit the player of the year. She had 18 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, and three assists while playing off Cardoso.
“It was just about simplifying the game,” she said. “We just started reading what they were giving us and taking what they were giving us and looking in to Kamilla.”
Cardoso scored 16 points, her Gamecock career-high, and added nine rebounds and five blocks. She ran the court well, getting behind the defense multiple times, and chased down a layup in the first half that Fletcher said provided a spark for the Gamecocks.
“If we can get those two to play together and play like they did tonight it gives us another layer,” Staley said. “This is the type of performance we want to see from Kamilla on a consistent basis, and I think we will. We’re turning up the heat on her.”
Kierra Fletcher had her best game of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds. She also played strong defense against Rice and Charisma Osborne. In the third quarter, she went 3-3 on midrange jumpers and scored eight points, forcing UCLA to adjust its defense.
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“This game is really simple,” Staley said. “Her man was literally sitting on top of our post player, and that’s her shot.”
UCLA began the game shooting 11-21 from the floor in the first 14 minutes of the game. Once South Carolina locked in defensively and held UCLA to 10-44 shooting the rest of the game. UCLA shot just 27.3% in the second half and 3-15 in the fourth quarter, finishing the game at 32% shooting.
Osborne finished with 24 points and six rebounds. Rice had 16 before fouling out.
Notes:
The game was the first of a four-game series between the two teams. They take a break next season before resuming at UCLA in 2024. … Shane Beamer was recognized at the media timeout during the first quarter. … The last 1:11 of the game lasted almost 20 minutes as UCLA fouled to prolong the game. … Cooke scored 12 points. … Aliyah Boston braids report: Still purple with electric blue tips. … Dawn Staley fit report: Staley wore a black shirt with “We are BG” in orange letters (the inverse of the pin she always wears), Louis Vuitton jogging pants, and Louis Vuitton sneakers. … Announced attendance was 12,501. … South Carolina’s next game is Saturday against Memphis.
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