Boston, Cooke lead No. 1 South Carolina in rout of Kentucky – WTOP News

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Aliyah Boston had 21 factors and 11 rebounds, Zia Cooke scored 10 of her 20 factors throughout a 16-0 second-quarter rally and top-ranked South Carolina pulled away within the fourth quarter to rout Kentucky 95-66 on Thursday evening.

After battling again to win at Mississippi State on Sunday, the Gamecocks (17-0, 5-0 Southeastern Convention) overcame one other highway problem from the Wildcats to retain a share of first place within the convention.

Kentucky’s 16-1 run over the primary and second quarters offered a 31-21 lead with 5:27 left within the half and an enormous dose of confidence in opposition to the reigning nationwide champions. However South Carolina rapidly seized momentum. Boston, who was 9-of-11 taking pictures, responded with a jumper and Cooke added a 3-pointer, a three-point play and two layups throughout the surge to guide 37-33 on the break.

“It was simply me taking part in my position and letting the sport come to me and simply being prepared when the ball does come to me,” mentioned Cooke, who made 8-of-14 photographs from the sector with 5 layups. “We’ve been down earlier than, the sport is stuffed with highs and lows at instances. We simply continued to maintain our tempo and do what we do.”

The Gamecocks maintained a small cushion after three quarters earlier than going 13 of 17 from the ground within the fourth to tug away.

Maddie Scherr scored a career-high 25 factors with 5 3s for the Wildcats (8-9, 0-4), who fell to their second top-10 opponent this week. Kentucky misplaced 67-48 to now-No. 5 LSU on Sunday at Rupp Area.

Jada Walker added 17 factors and Robyn Benton 10 for Kentucky, which shot 42% however was outrebounded simply 35-29 by the taller Gamecocks.

“I simply went in and tried to speak to them concerning the positives,” Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy mentioned. “For 3 quarters in opposition to the No. 1 crew within the nation, you confirmed what you had been made from. They made the run within the fourth, we will be taught from that.”

South Carolina almost doubled Kentucky in scoring within the paint (62-32) on the way in which to taking pictures a season-high 64% (35 of 55). Kamilla Cardoso added 12 factors and Laeticia Amihere 11 because the Gamecocks additionally dominated bench scoring 39-10.

Thursday was the groups’ first assembly since Kentucky upset the top-seeded Gamecocks 64-62 to win the SEC Event title. South Carolina went on to win its second nationwide title and hasn’t regarded again, although it entered the competition in a four-way tie atop the league.

BIG PICTURE

South Carolina: A double-digit deficit didn’t faze the Gamecocks, who had loads of time to regroup and use their dimension and pace to reclaim the lead. Cooke sparked the rally and contributed key performs each time wanted to assist her crew survive one other highway take a look at. Crimson-hot taking pictures additionally helped, as they surpassed their 63% accuracy in opposition to Auburn.

“Generally you’ve simply bought to let issues play out,” coach Daybreak Staley mentioned of the pivotal run. “I simply needed to take Kentucky’s greatest punch and see how we’d reply to it. …. We’re going to really feel that. Crucial factor is to not panic.”

Kentucky: The Wildcats stayed inside attain however simply couldn’t cease Boston or Cooke, who discovered a variety of room inside for layups. Scherr made 10 of 15 from the sector and 5 of seven from deep to surpass her earlier greatest of twenty-two factors on Sunday. Inside scoring was one other story in opposition to the nation’s high shot-blocking crew, which averages 9.6 blocks; South Carolina rejected 11 makes an attempt.

“I do know they had been going to fall ultimately,” Scherr mentioned. “I had all of the encouragement from my teammates and coaches, and that’s what bought me there.”

UP NEXT

South Carolina: Hosts Missouri on Sunday.

Kentucky: Visits Florida on Sunday to start a two-game highway swing.

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AP ladies’s faculty basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

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