GoGamecocks.com
Women's pregame: USC vs. Mississippi
Posted on 02.08.09
CommentsWHEN: 3 p.m. | WHERE: Colonial Life Arena
TV: Fox Sports Carolina | RADIO: WISW 1320 AM
RECORDS: USC 9-12, 1-7, Mississippi 14-9, 3-5
COACHES: Dawn Staley (9-12 in first season at USC, 181-92 in nine seasons); Renee Ladner (27-25 in second season at Ole Miss)
TICKETS: (800) 472-3267
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. The Gamecocks shot a woeful 4-for-28 in the first half of Thursday’s loss to Kentucky. Any chance to hang in against the Rebels will have to come from better execution on the offensive end. 2. USC’s lone SEC win was a 76-67 decision against Mississippi on Jan. 22. It took a career-high 31 points from Brionna Dickerson, but the Rebels will not have to worry about the senior this time. She is still out with a lingering knee injury, so expect Mississippi to focus on stopping Lakeisha Sutton and C.J. Pace in order to force the remainder of the Gamecocks to beat them.
3. USC has dropped four games in a row on its home court and has not won at home since beating Jacksonville on Dec. 30. The crowds have been small but vocal, and the Gamecocks seem to respond to that energy. A larger, more inspired crowd could help USC in the final three home games that are against teams in the lower half of the SEC standings.
KEY PLAYER: Shantell Black, Mississippi
Black torched the Gamecocks with 22 points and 6-of-8 shooting from beyond the 3-point line in the first contest this season. If she can score at will again, the Gamecocks will have a hard time keeping up. Samone Kennedy will probably draw the task of slowing down Black.
STARTING LINEUPS
GAMECOCKS
POS. HT. NAME PPG
| F | 5-10 | C.J. Pace | 6.9 |
| F | 6-1 | Jewel May | 4.7 |
| F | 6-1 | Charenee Stephens | 3.9 |
| G | 5-9 | Lakeisha Sutton | 10.4 |
| G | 5-4 | Samone Kennedy | 5.0 |
POS. HT. NAME PPG
| F | 6-3 | Shawn Goff | 13.5 |
| C | 6-1 | Kayla Holloway | 3.2 |
| G | 5-4 | Shantell Black | 8.3 |
| G | 5-8 | Alliesha Easley | 8.2 |
| G | 5-10 | Bianca Thomas | 14.3 |
These teams were even on paper when they first met. Without Adams and Dickerson, USC faces an uphill battle every time they step on the court. They have to shoot the ball better than they did in a loss to Kentucky to have any chance.
— Chris Dearing
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