What we learned in No. 1 South Carolina’s 49-point win against Liberty
The South Carolina women’s basketball team returned from the final exams break to earn its fifth home victory of the year.
The No. 1 Gamecocks defeated Liberty on Sunday 88-39 at Colonial Life Arena.
USC (9-0) made it difficult on the Flames’ offense early by forcing them into 12 first-half turnovers.
The stifling defense allowed just nine points for Liberty (3-5) in the second quarter and six points in the third. Those were the 12th and 13th quarters this season in which the Gamecocks held their opponent to single-digit scoring.
South Carolina, though, got into a groove from the start and never trailed.
Head coach Dawn Staley looked to utilize the team’s depth and subbed out the whole starting lineup midway through the first quarter. That lineup consisted of Bree Hall, Talaysia Cooper, Raven Johnson, Kamilla Cardoso and Laeticia Amihere.
“We’ve been working that unit all week, just trying to get them to be a pressing unit for us,” Staley said. “I wanted to see what they look like in a game situation and, obviously, they gave us some really good opportunities to learn from a film standpoint.”
The bench unit scored 11 of the team’s 23 points in that span. The team’s starters sat out the fourth quarter with a 39-point lead.
The Gamecocks were a bit more efficient from 3-point range than usual, making six of their 13 attempts.
South Carolina will travel to play South Dakota State in Sioux Falls on Thursday, looking to improve its record to 10-0.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ALIYAH BOSTON
The Gamecocks celebrated more than just their win against Liberty.
Star senior Aliyah Boston turned 21 years old Sunday and had a productive day for South Carolina. The team and the fans in Colonial Life Arena sang “Happy Birthday” to her after singing the school’s fight song.
“I’m gonna have some cake,” Boston said when asked about her birthday plans.
She finished the game with 13 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes of action. Boston found a good rhythm with her midrange jumpshot, and also found her way inside for close finishes.
COOKE HAS THE HOT HAND
Zia Cooke, the team’s leading scorer this season, put up 20 points on 7-of-12 shooting. She also knocked down three 3-pointers for South Carolina. Cooke leads the team with 15 makes from long range on the year.
“Zia’s been shooting the ball really well in practice,” Boston said. “Staying after shootaround and getting shots up. I think she was in a great rhythm.”
Cooke got back on track after difficult shooting games against UCLA and Memphis. But against Liberty, she delivered the first 20-point game for South Carolina all season.
“I’m happy that she got shots to fall,” Staley said. “She’s not taking bad shots, they’re just not going in. But they went in today, and I’m hoping that she’ll just link up the days. She’s playing great.”
Sunday marked the fourth time this year that Cooke led the team in scoring.
RAVEN JOHNSON PLAYS BRACE-FREE
Redshirt freshman Raven Johnson played without a knee brace for the first time all season. Staley said after the game that Johnson was gradually working herself away from the brace throughout the week in practice reps.
“She surpassed the time in which she could be out of the brace, it was just more of a comfort thing,” Staley said. “I think she’s probably a little frustrated with her play, so hopefully with her relinquishing the brace, it will bring more of who Raven is and what she brings to the table.”
She missed most of last season due to a knee injury and has started the first two games this year. Johnson is the team’s leader in assists so far with 3.4 per game.
Johnson dropped in four points and five assists in 16 minutes off the bench against the Flames.
NEXT FOUR SOUTH CAROLINA WBB GAMES
Thursday: neutral vs. South Dakota State, 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Dec. 18: home vs. Charleston Southern, 2 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
Dec 21: home vs. Coastal Carolina, noon (SEC Network Plus)
Dec. 29: home vs. Texas A&M, 7 p.m. (SEC Network or ESPN2)
This story was originally published December 11, 2022 at 3:53 PM.
