South Carolina Basketball vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Thumbs Up 1: Low Post Excellence
Kamilla Cardoso and Chloe Kitts are one of the best 4-5 combinations in women's college basketball. So are Kamilla Cardoso and Ashlyn Watkins. Or Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins. Frankly, it's unfair to other teams that South Carolina basketball can roll out three players as talented as Cardoso, Kitts, and Watkins at any time.
They are all double-double threats each night, and in 17 games, the trio has logged 16 double-doubles. Cardoso and Watkins are also the top-2 players in the SEC in blocked shots.
They were excellent again on Sunday, combining for 34 points (on 14/20 shooting), 29 rebounds, and 4 blocks. Watkins, though, didn't play a ton due to foul trouble. No problem. Sania Feagin stepped in and tied her career-high in scoring with 15 points on 5-6 shooting efficiency. She also added 4 rebounds and 2 blocks. The trio, with a few minutes from Sakima Walker, as well, held the Aggies' bigs to just 1-8 shooting and 8 rebounds over 36 minutes.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Thumbs Up 2: Bench Production
South Carolina basketball fans could not watch this game against Texas A&M and leave unimpressed with the effort from their bench. MiLaysia Fulwiley and Sanie Feagin were two of the team's three top scorers and tied or set career-highs in scoring during the game. They combined to shoot 13-18/4-6/6-7 on the afternoon.
Because Tessa Johnson left the game early with a lower leg injury, the Gamecocks played shorthanded. Only Fulwiley, Feagin, and Ashlyn Watkins were part of the rotation in this one (Sahnya Jah played a lot in garbage time, and Sakima Walker got some run, too), so getting good games from Fulwiley and Feagin was a great sign for the Gamecocks. If they continue to be scoring threats moving forward, the USC offense will be (almost) unbeatable.
South Carolina Basketball vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Thumbs Up 3: Scoring Efficiency
The Gamecocks were ridiculous on Sunday. Making 67% of their shots from the floor, Dawn Staley's squad had 8 different players shoot 50% or better in the game, including 4 that shot at least 75%. the Gamecocks also splashed home 54% of their shots from behind the 3-point arc, and they made a better-than-their-season-average 82% from the free throw line.
The shot selection wasn't always perfect (17 attempts on shots away from the rim or 3-point line), but the Gamecocks were just that good against Texas A&M. Chloe Kitts hit several midrange shots on her own, and Te-Hina Paopao made a couple of tough runners and floaters from further out.
Some well-balanced distribution efforts helped with the team's efficiency. The Gamecocks had 5 players log at least 3 assists as MiLaysia Fulwiley, Chloe Kitts, Te-Hina Paopao, Raven Johnson, and Bree Hall all moved the ball well.