South Carolina Basketball vs. NC State Wolfpack
Thumbs Up 1: That 3rd Quarter
Any positives from the Gamecocks' win over NC State have to include the 3rd quarter.
After playing poorly on offense (other than Kamilla Cardoso) in the 1st half and allowing NC State to get off too many clean shots, Dawn Staley's halftime message got results out of her team in the 3rd quarter.
The Gamecock guards were everywhere on defense as NC State went 1-11 from the field in the period. Kamilla Cardoso and Ashlyn Watkins seemingly rebounded every miss from the 'Pack, as well, and the Carolina offense fired on all cylinders on the other end with five 3-point makes and more excellence from Cardoso and Watkins.
The Gamecocks won the game in the 3rd quarter.
South Carolina Basketball vs. NC State Wolfpack
Thumbs Up 2: Gamecock Greatness in the Post
South Carolina basketball fans are used to their team dominating the paint, and that continued on Friday.
Kamilla Cardoso went 10-12 from the field as she went off for 22 points and 11 rebounds, despite playing the game banged up. Ashlyn Watkins added 8 points but secured 20 rebounds, an NCAA Tournament record for a bench player.
NC State was only able to make 5 layups for the entire game, a testament to USC's defense down low. 6 blocks doesn't tell the story as the Gamecock forwards and centers were terrors to driving Wolfpack players.
South Carolina Basketball vs. NC State Wolfpack
Thumbs Up 3: That's So Raven
Raven Johnson had a Raven Johnson game against NC State.
The Gamecock point guard did her best Chelsea Gray and Chris Paul impersonation (if you know, you know) as she scored an efficient 13 points, had 0 turnovers, dished out 5 assists, snatched 3 steals, and played tremendous defense against the athletic NC State guards.
If South Carolina is going to beat Caitlin Clark and Iowa on Sunday, they need this type of Raven Johnson to lead the way on the perimeter. She had a little issue with her hamstring late in the game but appeared to be fine after returning to the bench.