GoGamecocks.com
Women’s pregame: USC at Kentucky
Posted on 02.05.09
CommentsWHEN: 7 p.m.
WHERE: Memorial Coliseum, Lexington, Ky.
TV: None
RADIO: WISW 1320 AM
RECORDS: USC 9-11, 1-6 SEC; Kentucky 12-10, 2-5
COACHES: Dawn Staley (181-91 in nine seasons, 9-11 in first season at USC); Matthew Mitchell (59-55 in four seasons, 29-26 in two seasons at Kentucky).
TICKETS: (800) 472-3267
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
The Gamecocks had a week off to experiment with the rotation after playing one game without leading scorer Brionna Dickerson. The former Heathwood Hall standout might be back in a week, but USC turned to Lakeisha Sutton and C.J. Pace for the bulk of the offense in the loss to LSU. Staley said those two will have to shoot 15-20 times for the Gamecocks to have a chance.
Samone Kennedy had started the previous 12 games at point guard before becoming an afterthought against LSU. The sophomore played eight minutes off the bench. She is the best pure point guard but had to sit because Staley said she hadn’t taken care of issues off the court. USC needs her production.
The Gamecocks were out-rebounded by 10 against the Tigers, and with just one true post player in C.J. Pace, that might continue. What USC needs to guard against is opponents turning those rebounds into easy points. LSU had over half its points in the paint.
KEY PLAYER: Lakeisha Sutton, USC
The freshman from New Jersey has taken Dickerson’s scoring burden. She had 19 points in the last outing and has the ability to create her own shot, which is something the Gamecocks lack. Staley has given her the green light to shoot, so she needs to produce to give USC a chance.
STARTING LINEUPS
GAMECOCKS
POS. HT. NAME PPG
| F | 5-10 | C.J. Pace | 6.8 |
| F | 6-1 | Jewel May | 4.8 |
| G | 5-9 | Lauren Falohun | 3.3 |
| G | 5-9 | Lakeisha Sutton | 10.2 |
| G | 5-10 | Courtney Newton | 1.9 |
POS. HT. NAME PPG
| F | 6-1 | Victoria Dunlap | 12.3 |
| C | 6-3 | Eleia Roddy | 11.9 |
| G | 5-8 | Carly Ormerod | 6.2 |
| G | 5-11 | Carly Morrow | 7.8 |
| G | 5-11 | Amani Franklin | 7.8 |
Kentucky has lost four in a row after winning two SEC games in a row in early January. But they have struggled scoring lately, and that’s just what the Gamecocks need. This one should be close.
— Chris Dearing
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