South Carolina Basketball: 3 thumbs up, 3 thumbs down from Gamecocks' win over Tennessee

South Carolina Basketball vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Thumbs Up 1: Happy Senior Day, Kamilla Cardoso

Kamilla Cardoso was surprised this week with her family flying in from Brazil for her final regular season game in garnet and black. She didn't disappoint them with her game on Sunday.

Cardoso logged another easy double-double as she scored 18 points (including 6-7 from the free throw line) and pulled down 14 rebounds, 9 on the offensive end. She wound up fouling out late, but the game was virtually in hand by that point, thanks in large part to the work of their post star.

Te-Hina Paopao also had a nice showing on Senior Day with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Cardoso, Paopao, and fellow senior Sakima Walker combined for just 2 total turnovers as the team gave the ball away just 10 total times.

South Carolina Basketball vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Thumbs Up 2: Post Defense

Rickea Jackson was really good for Tennessee on Sunday, but the Gamecocks did a great job defending her and the rest of the Vols, especially as they ventured into the paint.

Tennessee only got 28 total points in the paint in the game, and nearly half of those came off of broken floors during 2nd chance opportunities. The Gamecocks held the Vols to just 9-21 shooting on layup attempts, including 5 blocks.

Kamilla Cardoso, Ashlyn Watkins, Sania Feagin, Chloe Kitts, Sakima Walker, and Bree Hall (yes, Bree Hall got in on the post action) altered shots all game as they anchored a defense that gave up just 36% shooting for the game. Just one Tennessee player of the ten who played shot 50% or better.

Considering the tough-minded opponent and the different-look lineups Coach Staley ran out there for the game, those numbers are pretty special.

South Carolina Basketball vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Thumbs Up 3: Rebounding

In a game full of missed shots (96 of them!!!!), the Gamecocks owned the glass.

For the game, Carolina pulled down 57 total rebounds, and 26 of them came on the offensive end of the floor. Every Gamecock who played more than 3 minutes pulled down multiple boards, and 6 different players had at least 4 rebounds. Kamilla Cardoso led the way with 14, and MiLaysia Fulwiley, Bree Hall, Ashlyn Watkins, and Raven Johnson joined her with multiple offensive rebounds.

When Tennessee missed, the ball ended up with the Gamecocks as UT was able to grab just 28.5% of their own bricks.