GoGamecocks.com
Women's pregame: USC at Florida
Posted on 02.22.09
CommentsWHEN: 1 p.m.
WHERE: O’Connell Center, Gainsville, Fla.
TV: None
RADIO: WISW 1320 AM
RECORDS: USC 10-14, 2-9, FLORIDA 22-5, 8-4
COACHES: Dawn Staley (10-14 in first season at USC, 182-94 in nine seasons); Amanda Butler (41-19 in second season at Florida, 81-41 in four seasons)
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
1. The Gators handed USC its worse SEC loss of the season in a 77-63 decision on Jan. 15. Since that time, the Gamecocks have played better even after season-ending injuries to seniors Brionna Dickerson and Demetress Adams. Lakeisha Sutton and C.J. Pace have been the offensive catalysts since then and both need big games in hopes of earning the upset.
2. Florida was challenging for the SEC regular season title until they dropped their past three games. The Gators are still an NCAA tournament team but need to do some work to finish in the top four of the league and earn a first round bye in the SEC Tournament. Add that it is Senior Day for four Gators and emotions should be high.
3. The hope was Dickerson could return by this game but it was learned earlier this week she is out for the season. USC has been off since defeating Alabama 68-57 last Sunday and they have had a week to process the news and know they are down to nine players the rest of the way.
KEY PLAYER: Sha Brooks, G, Florida
The senior had 25 points in the victory a month ago and is one of the top scorers in the SEC. The Gamecocks need to contain the dribble-penetration of Brooks and force the Gators to shoot it from the outside to have a chance. Brooks and Marshae Dotson form a nice 1-2 punch. That should be the Gamecocks’ focus on the defensive end.
STARTING LINEUPS
GAMECOCKS
POS. HT. NAME PPG
F 5-10 C.J. Pace 7.3
F 6-1 Jewel May 4.7
G 5-10 Courtney Newton 3.0
G 5-9 Lakeisha Sutton 10.8
G 5-4 Samone Kennedy 5.3
GATORS
POS. HT. NAME PPG
F 5-10 Sharielle Smith 11.3
F 5-11 Marshae Dotson 5.4
G 5-7 Sha Brooks 9.8
G 5-10 Steffi Sorensen 7.1
G 5-10 Susan Yencer 9.5
BOTTOM LINE:
Florida has something to play for but the Gamecocks have not shown any quit this season. Even without Dickerson and Adams, this should be much closer than last time.
— Chris Dearing
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