South Carolina Basketball: Gamecocks tame Bulldogs to move to 25-0, set new SEC record

After a close game against Tennessee on Thursday, Dawn Staley's South Carolina basketball team did not have a close call against the Georgia Bulldogs, winning handily in front of a sold out crowd.

South Carolina basketball guard Te-Hina Paopao and forward Chloe Kitts
South Carolina basketball guard Te-Hina Paopao and forward Chloe Kitts | Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
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South Carolina Basketball vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Stats, Scoring, and Observations

South Carolina basketball overcame their biggest 2nd half deficit in 3 years (9 points) to dominate the game down the stretch. A 14-point win felt more competitive than the score indicated, but the Gamecocks remained undefeated to move to 25-0.

Here are the stats from the game:

STATS

Georgia

Points

Leader: Javyn Nicholson with 27

Rebounds

Leader: Javyn Nicholson with 12

Assists

Leader: Asia Avinger with 4

Steals

Leader: Three players each with 3

Blocks

Leader: Jordan Cole with 2

Team

The Bulldogs shot 37.5%/36.4%/76.9% and had 18 turnovers

South Carolina

Points

Leader: Kamilla Cardoso with 16

Rebounds

Leader: Kamilla Cardoso with 16

Assists

Leader: Kamilla Cardoso and MiLaysia Fulwiley each with 5

Steals

Leader: Kamilla Cardoso and MiLaysia Fulwiley each with 3

Blocks

Leader: Kamilla Cardoso and Ashlyn Watkins each with 3

Team

The Gamecocks shot 43.9%/33.3%/64.7% and had 18 turnovers

BOX SCORE

OBSERVATIONS

  • Starters: Raven Johnson-Te-Hina Paopao-Bree Hall-Chloe Kitts-Kamilla Cardoso
  • The Gamecocks didn't play particularly well in the 1st half, especially at the end of the 1st quarter and throughout the 2nd quarter.
  • Te-Hina Paopao and Bree Hall made 5 3s in the first 20 minutes, but the rest of the team scored only 13 points.
  • With Kamilla Cardoso on somewhat of a minutes restriction after participating in Olympic qualifying, Javyn Nicholson dominated down low, the Bulldogs outscored Carolina 22-8 in the paint, and UGA outrebounded USC by 3.
  • The Gamecocks struggled to hang onto the basketball, as well, giving the ball up 10 times in the 1st half.
  • The 3rd quarter is when the game shifted. USC held UGA to just 9 points for the quarter.
  • Dawn Staley's team won the 2nd half 42-21.
  • The 2nd half rebounding battle was dominated by Carolina, as well. After losing the battle by 3 in the 1st half, they outrebounded Georgia by 11 after halftime.
  • Kamilla Cardoso was excellent all game. She played just 25 minutes, but she also led the team in all five major stats with 16 points, 16 rebounds, 5 assists (tied with MiLaysia Fulwiley), 3 steals (tied with MiLaysia Fulwiley), and 3 blocks (tied with Ashlyn Watkins).

Schedule

Schedule