What we learned as No. 1 Gamecocks run away from Missouri for 6-0 SEC record
South Carolina continues to dominate in SEC play.
The Gamecocks (18-0, 6-0 SEC) routed Missouri 81-50 Sunday afternoon inside Colonial Life Arena. USC drew its largest crowd of the season with an attendance of 15,444.
Both teams traded shots early in the game, with the Tigers (14-5, 3-3 SEC) draining 3-pointers and the Gamecocks looking for star forward Aliyah Boston inside.
There was much physicality in the first half, with a total of 20 fouls called. South Carolina took advantage by going to the free-throw line and making 22-of-28 attempts.
“We usually go to the basket very hard, and we don’t always get the calls,” senior guard Zia Cooke said. “But we were able to get them tonight. And when we got to the free-throw line, we were able to knock down free throws.”
South Carolina started to pull away from Missouri in the second quarter after a Cooke 3-pointer extended the lead to eight, and a pair of Boston free throws the next possession increased the lead to 10.
The Gamecocks lost to Missouri last season in the SEC opener but left no room for doubt this time around. USC got up and down the court with ease and finished with 80 or more points for the third time in conference play.
South Carolina will travel for its next game, facing Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. Thursday.
ALIYAH BOSTON INCHES CLOSER TO RECORD
Boston finished with a double-double for the third-straight game against the Tigers, recording 20 points and 10 rebounds. It was the second straight game for her with at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.
Boston entered the game averaging a career-low in points, though that was due in part to the increase in depth around her.
Early on in conference play, she faced many double-teams and trapping defenses. She was held to just 10 total points in the first two SEC games. Since then, her numbers have risen and she’s left a bigger mark on games from an offensive standpoint.
Boston sits at 71 career double-doubles, one shy of tying Sheila Foster for the program record. Head coach Dawn Staley said earlier this season that double-doubles weren’t the ultimate mark of her productivity, and that she appreciates what she brings with her skill set.
“There isn’t anybody that’s going to outwork her, along with being smart, along with just having a great understanding of how to play,” Staley said. “She’s just constantly working. There aren’t too many players like her that approaches it that way.”
GAMECOCKS CONTROL THE GLASS
Rebounding is one of the hallmarks of Staley’s Gamecocks, but the team had total control of the boards on Sunday.
USC outrebounded the Tigers 52-22, holding Missouri to seven rebounds in the first half.
South Carolina entered the game with the third-highest rebounding average in the country and the second-highest rebound margin. The team places a big emphasis on that part of the game, utilizing the size of its frontcourt depth to secure extra possessions.
Seven players finished with at least five rebounds for South Carolina against Missouri.
“We have a boxing out drill in practice, and we do it almost every day,” freshman forward Ashlyn Watkins said. “So that helps us get out of rebounds.”
ASHLYN WATKINS EMERGING
Watkins was the first sub off the bench for South Carolina and found ways to be productive throughout the afternoon.
Watkins totaled 13 points and six rebounds. This was her sixth double-digit scoring game of the season and first in conference play. Staley said she liked what Watkins could bring defensively against Missouri’s Hayley Frank, chasing her off screens as she looked to get 3-point attempts.
“I thought Ashlyn played extremely well,” Staley said. “Really locked in and had, probably, her best game as a Gamecock.”
She scored in a variety of ways, knocking down a midrange jumpshot in the first half, scoring on inside passes from the guards and crashing the offensive glass. She played 26 minutes against Missouri, which was the most of anyone on South Carolina.
“I feel like I’ve proven myself to play more,” Watkins said. “I know that we have a lot of great people on our team and I’m not going to get as many minutes as I want to as a freshman, but I know that I have to work hard for the minutes that I want.”
NEXT FOUR SOUTH CAROLINA WBB GAMES
Thursday: at Vanderbilt, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
Jan. 22: home vs. Arkansas, 3 p.m. (ESPN2)
Jan. 29: at Alabama, 1 p.m. (ESPN2)
Feb. 2: home vs. Kentucky, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
This story was originally published January 15, 2023 at 2:56 PM.
