South Carolina women's basketball: Chloe Kitts and MiLaysia Fulwiley lead rout of Presbyterian
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Despite playing without two starters top overall seed South Carolina cruised to a 91-39 win over Presbyterian.
South Carolina knew it would be without All-American center Kamilla Cardoso, who was suspended for the first round game after she was ejected from the SEC championship game for fighting. Then Bree Hall, who had been the only player who started every game this season, was a late scratch for “precautionary” reasons.
That left South Carolina with only eight active players, but the bench still dominated. Some of the lineups were unusual and it was noticeable that two of the Gamecocks’ best defenders weren’t playing, but they still cruised.
“We were happy to get out there and knock some rust off,” Dawn Staley said. “We just worry about who we have that’s ready to play and coach them up.”
South Carolina shot 56% and held Presbyterian to 28%, including allowing just two points in the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks were plus-17 rebounding, and had 18 points off of 17 turnovers.
Only six players scored for Presbyterian, and none in double figures. Five Gamecocks scored in double figures, and everyone but Tessa Johnson scored.
Chloe Kitts tied her career high with 21 points and had 13 rebounds, one short of her career high. She was a perfect 9-9 from the floor, although she missed one of her four free throw attempts.
“I feel like it was important for my confidence,” Kitts said. “Recently I’ve been low on confidence.”
Sania Feagin had her first career double-double with 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Te-Hina Paopao scored 18 on 4-7 shooting from three. Raven Johnson added 11 points, four assists, four rebounds, and four steals. And of course, there was MiLaysia Fulwiley.
The SEC Tournament MVP made a career-high five three-pointers and scored 17 points. But Staley wasn’t happy.
“I said she scored 17 but she gave up 19,” Staley said. Then she added, “Make sure she hears that.”
Notes:
The smallest college in Division I, Presbyterian doesn’t have a pep band. The Blue Hose enlisted the Dreher High School Band to masquerade as their pep band. They did the same thing on Wednesday night. … Former Gamecock Kaela Davis, who was part of the 2017 national championship team, was at the game and visited with coaches in the locker room after the game. … At halftime, Ashlyn Watkins had nine points and seven rebounds. She finished the game with seven points and eight rebounds, as one of her baskets was changed to another player during the third quarter. She also had four blocks and tied her career-high with four assists despite not playing at all in the fourth quarter. … South Carolina had just nine turnovers. … Dawn Staley’s outfit: Staley wore a white Gucci hoodie. The assistant coaches wore white Gamecock quarter-zips, and staff wore “Everybody watches women’s sports” t-shirts. … South Carolina’s next game is Sunday against North Carolina.
