No. 1 South Carolina navigates slow start, lineup change for road win over Auburn
The SEC’s best offense and best defense met in Auburn for a game Thursday night, and a rock fight ensued. But the Gamecocks’ homegrown talent powered them to another win on the road.
No. 1 South Carolina defeated Auburn 76-54 at Neville Arena to remain perfect. The Gamecocks (20-0, 8-0 SEC) have now won 29 straight road games.
“They challenged every pass, and they’re able to put pressure on the ball,” coach Dawn Staley said of Auburn’s suffocating defense. “They disrupt your offense. You can’t get to any of your options, so you’ve got to go to making a play.
“... I think in the second half we found ways to get some easy buckets. We got on the transition. And that’s what probably opened the game up a little bit for us.”
Sophomore forward Chloe Kitts missed her first game of the season due to illness. Ashlyn Watkins filled in, marking the first start of her collegiate career. Watkins joined the rest of South Carolina’s typical starting lineup: Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, Raven Johnson and Kamilla Cardoso. Three Gamecocks scored in double-digits: Watkins (14), Cardoso (13) and MiLaysia Fulwiley (15).
USC hosts Ole Miss at 2 p.m. Sunday, kicking off a three-game homestand for the Gamecocks.
Ashlyn Watkins makes the most of start
For much of Thursday night’s contest, Watkins looked like the best player on the court.
She hustled on both ends, leading the team in first-half scoring (8 points), rebounds (10), blocks (three) and steals (two). Watkins responded well to the responsibility of her first career start and offered a much-needed bright spot in one of the Gamecocks’ worst opening halves of the season.
She continued to contribute in the second half, even as South Carolina’s offense started to pick up. Watkins finished with a double-double, including a career-high 15 rebounds (up from 12 versus Presbyterian on Dec. 16) and 14 points, plus five blocks and three steals.
MiLaysia Fulwiley steps up
Fulwiley had a tough start Thursday night, missing her first four baskets. But a smooth behind-the-back layup fell through the net for her in the second quarter, offering a much-needed reprieve for the freshman and opening her up for a productive scoring night.
While USC’s go-to shooters struggled, Fulwiley went to work. When shots weren’t falling, she drove to the basket, scoring 8 of her 13 points in the first three quarters from layups.
Fulwiley ended the game with a team-high 15 points, plus two steals, three fouls and three turnovers.
“When I missed that fast-break layup (before the make), I was like, ‘Oh my gosh,’ ” Fulwiley said. “It really got to my head. That fast-break layup really got to me. And I think it got to me in a good way. I just started defending better, getting stops and letting the game come to me.”
Gamecocks have a rough shooting night
South Carolina entered Thursday night’s game with five players averaging over 60% shooting over the last five contests (Sania Feagin 76%; Sakima Walker 66.7%; Kitts 62.1%; Watkins 61.5%; and Cardoso 60.4%). USC then shot 28.6% from the field in the opening half at Auburn.
The Gamecocks made 10 of 35 field goals in the first two quarters, including 7 of 19 layups and none of eight 3-point tries. USC also managed four points off 10 offensive rebounds in the first two periods. Watkins and Fulwiley were USC’s most accurate shooters in the first half, sinking 75% (3-of-4) and 33.3% (3-of-9) of their attempts, respectively. USC’s most productive 3-point shooters Paopao and Hall combined for two points and zeros field goals in the opening half (Paopao made two free throws).
South Carolina opened the third quarter on a much-needed 6-0 run. By game’s end, the Gamecocks elevated their shooting percentage to 41.8%.
Next four South Carolina women’s basketball games
- Sunday: vs. Ole Miss, 2 p.m. (ESPN 2)
- Feb. 8: vs. Missouri, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)
- Feb. 11: vs. UConn, 2 p.m. (ESPN)
- Feb. 15: at Tennessee, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
This story was originally published February 1, 2024 at 9:52 PM.
