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South Carolina women's basketball: Gamecock offense explodes in rout of Purdue

On3 imageby: Chris Wellbaum11/30/24ChrisWellbaum
South Carolina women's basketball guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (Photo by Katie Dugan)
South Carolina guard MiLaysia South Carolina women's basketball guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (Photo by Katie Dugan)Fulwiley (Photo by Katie Dugan)

South Carolina’s offense exploded for a season-high in points in a 99-51 win over Purdue to finish off a sweep at the Fort Myers Tip-Off.

South Carolina’s slow starts – and the fast start against #15 Iowa State – have been the focus this season. On Saturday it was somewhere in the middle.

The game was tied at 10 at the media timeout, but after the break the Gamecocks caught fire. The second unit sparked a quick 9-0 run and they never looked back. 

South Carolina led 23-12 after the first quarter and then dominated the second quarter, scoring a season-high 30 points in the frame. 

That was the story of the second half. Every time Purdue scored a couple of baskets, South Carolina exploded for another run. 

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South Carolina had runs of 9-0, 15-0, 11-0, 10-2, and 12-0. 

Seven Gamecocks scored in double figures, a season-high. MiLaysia Fulwiley led the way with 14. Tessa Johnson and Ashlyn Watkins each had 13. Starters Chloe Kitts and Bree Hall chipped in 12 apiece. Joyce Edwards had 11 and Maddy McDaniel had a career-high 10.

The Gamecocks dominated in nearly every category. They shot 47.1% while holding the Boilermakers to 39.6%. They were plus-30 on the glass, had 32 points off 20 turnovers, and only gave up five points off four turnovers.

South Carolina’s offensive success came despite poor three-point shooting. South Carolina only hit 6-24 from three and also allowed Purdue to shoot 7-13 from three

Edwards had nine rebounds to finish one short of her second consecutive double-double. Watkins also had nine rebounds. 

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Notes:

South Carolina wore its “Cocky” alternate uniforms. … Surprisingly, South Carolina’s leading scorer Te-Hina Paopao only had four points and was 0-4 from three. … Destani Lombard had 24 points, the only Boilermaker in double-figures. … Sania Feagin had four points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. … McDaniel also had a team-high four assists. … Sakima Walker was the only Gamecocks that did not play. Maryam Dauda was the only Gamecock who saw the court but did not score. … Adhel Tac, who did not play against Iowa State, had three points and five rebounds. … Dawn Staley’s outfit: Staley wore a block Louis Vuitton hoodie. … Announced attendance was 1,913. … South Carolina’s next game is Thursday against Duke.

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