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South Carolina 103-55 Kentucky (Feb 25, 2024) Game Recap – ESPN

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South Carolina 103-55 Kentucky (Feb 25, 2024) Game Recap – ESPN


LEXINGTON, Ky. — — South Carolina locked up its latest league title with the kind of performance Dawn Staley wants to see even in practice.

Bree Hall scored 18 points, MiLaysia Fulwiley added 17 off the bench and top-ranked South Carolina beat Kentucky 103-55 on Sunday to clinch its third consecutive outright Southeastern Conference regular-season championship and eighth in 11 years.

Staley struggles to achieve Sunday’s effort in workouts, which made the game-day product all the more satisfying.

“We have performances like this that shows we’re a really good basketball team and we show up on game day,” she said. “But we can’t just rely on that. We’ve got to perform like that in practice.”

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With 6-foot-7 star center Kamilla Cardoso sitting out a second consecutive game, the hot-shooting Gamecocks (27-0, 14-0) widened a 20-point halftime cushion to 74-43 after three quarters behind 12-of-16 shooting on the way to 64% accuracy overall. Te-Hina Paopao (11 points) made all three 3-point attempts among four makes overall in the quarter after missing her only shot before halftime.

Sania Feagin (16 points) took charge with 10 in the fourth to maintain South Carolina’s roll as it hit 23 of 31 after halftime (74%) and 38 of 59 overall to sweep Kentucky for its fourth straight series win and 10th of the past 11 meetings. The Gamecocks won the previous meeting 98-36 in Columbia.

“I feel like this was a better performance by us overall as a team,” said Hall, who was 8 of 10 from the field. “We really played together and shared the ball really well and I think we did a good job shooting as well.”

The blowout came three days after they routed Alabama 72-44 on Thursday to clinch a share of the SEC title and give Staley her 600th career victory.

And every player had at least four points as South Carolina owned nearly every stat in the process at Rupp Arena, home of the No. 17 Kentucky men’s basketball team.

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The Gamecocks were 8 of 12 from long range, dominated the paint 52-24 and outscored Kentucky’s bench 42-25. They scored 32 points off 19 Wildcats turnovers.

Fulwiley did her damage from the free throw line by making all 12 attempts. Ashlyn Watkins had 13 points and Chloe Kitts finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Gamecocks, whose balance and depth rang up their sixth 100-point outing this season and first in SEC play.

“The closer we get towards towards the tournament, the more we feel like we’re going to have to prove ourselves,” Watkins said.

Ajae Petty had 16 points and Saniah Tyler 15 for the Wildcats (11-17, 5-9), who shot just 34% after winning their past two games.

Kentucky’s loss spoiled pregame recognition of graduate student Emma King and seniors Nyah Leveretter and Eniya Russell. South Carolina’s Paopao, Cardoso and Sakima Walker were also mentioned.

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BIG PICTURE

South Carolina made its first five shots and scored 12 of its first 15 points in the paint to quickly establish offensive flow. They also found each other often, registering 30 assists on 38 baskets. The Gamecocks were even sharper defensively, cutting off every angle to prevent Kentucky from getting any rhythm going other than the third quarter, when the Wildcats made 8 of 17 shots. They also converted 19 of 21 from the line.

Kentucky opened 4 of 17 from the field with seven turnovers to dig a big hole early. An improved second quarter made no difference and the Wildcats struggled from the foul line with just 7 of 18 makes.

“I didn’t like our defensive intensity,” coach Kyra Elzy said. “I thought from the very get-go we were flat, which made us press offensively. And, taking care of the ball. We’re going to have to do that better these upcoming games.”

UP NEXT

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South Carolina visits Arkansas on Thursday night before hosting Tennessee in its regular season finale on Sunday.

Kentucky hosts Mississippi in its home finale on Thursday night.

——

https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball



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Keys to Success for Clemson Tigers Against South Carolina Gamecocks

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Keys to Success for Clemson Tigers Against South Carolina Gamecocks


The Clemson Tigers are getting ready for what will be a crucial game in Week 14 against the South Carolina Gamecocks. 

This rivalry matchup is not going to disappoint, as both teams are coming into the game as Top-25 schools. For the Tigers, there is a lot on the line in this matchup. 

Due to Clemson not holding the tie-breaker against the Miami Hurricanes in the ACC and the SMU Mustangs already clinching a spot, the Tigers are going to have to hope for a Hurricanes’ loss to the Syracuse Orange if they are going to make the title game. 

However, due to recent upsets in the SEC, another path might have emerged for Clemson to make the College Football Playoffs. If they can beat a Top-25 team in the Gamecocks on Saturday, it could be the type of statement win that propels them into an at-large bid. 

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While making the CFP still might be realistic, they first and foremost have to handle South Carolina, which will be no easy task. 

The Gamecocks have also had a great season, and they could present some matchup problems for Clemson. 

On offense, South Carolina is a run first team. Stopping the run has been an issue at times for the Tigers, as they just recently got torched on the ground against The Citadel Bulldogs. If Clemson is unable to stop or at least slow down the rushing attack for the Gamecocks, it will allow them to control the pace of the game. That obviously wouldn’t be ideal for the Tigers. 

Furthermore, on the defensive side of things, the Tigers’ offense is going to have their work cut out for them against a very strong Gamecocks defense. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has had a very strong season and this could end up being a defining game of his college career. 

Going back to the win against the Pittsburgh Panthers, the Tigers’ offense really struggled on the ground trying to run the football. If that’s the case once again in Week 14, it will fall on the shoulders of Klubnik to get the job done. 

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This matchup could very well go down as one of the games of the week and potentially the year, with both teams being fairly even talent-wise on paper. For Clemson, this is a must-win game to keep their playoff hopes alive, as a win this late in the season against a Top-25 team would be a nice last thing to put on their resume. 

Overall, the Tigers are going to need to have a balanced attack and prepare to stop the run if they are going to come away with the win against their rival.



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South Carolina community left without police after entire P.D. resigns

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South Carolina community left without police after entire P.D. resigns


The entire police department of a small South Carolina town resigned en masse, leaving the area without its own dedicated police force.

Chief Bob Hale of the McColl Police Department announced his resignation on November 21 in a social media post, citing a “hostile work environment perpetuated by a specific Councilman.”

“For months, I have endured unwarranted and malicious behavior aimed at undermining my integrity and leadership,” Hale wrote. “These actions have not only affected me personally but have also created a toxic atmosphere that has hindered the department’s ability to function effectively.”

The chief also said his department’s resources had been severely cut. The four officers under his command quickly resigned as well.

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“At the end of the day, I have a family. And when my job is constantly getting threatened and certain things are getting said I’m not going to stay somewhere and tolerate that,” former McColl investigator Courtney Bulusan told WRAL.

“I’m not going to stay where I’m tolerated,” Bulusan said. “I’m going to go where I’m celebrated.”

As the town seeks new officers, the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office will fill in for the department police force, according to South Carolina Public Radio.

The town has gone through six chiefs in the past four years. Hale’s tenure in the position lasted little over a year.

“I feel unsafe. Very unsafe,” resident Lisa Bowen told local outlet WPDE. “Because anytime anybody could do anything.”

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“They jump ship back and forth all the time,” Mayor George Garner told the Post and Courier newspaper. “This is nothing new.”

The paper reported that the councilman in question denied he had harassed any of the officers and told the paper the allegations were “hearsay.”

Such mass resignations, while uncommon, are not unprecedented.

The entire police force of Geary, Oklahoma, resigned earlier this month, Fox News reports.



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UCLA's Lauren Betts sends direct warning to college basketball after Bruins upset South Carolina

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UCLA's Lauren Betts sends direct warning to college basketball after Bruins upset South Carolina


UCLA’s win over No. 1 ranked South Carolina wasn’t a fluke, and Bruins center Lauren Betts says if you haven’t been paying attention, now would be the time to.

Let’s say the thing. It was not close on Sunday. From the opening tip to the final buzzer, UCLA commanded the floor and had an answer for everything the Gamecocks tried to do. The Bruins beat South Carolina on the boards (41-34), held four starters to under five points, and *checks notes* not a single starter went to the free-throw line. UGLY STUFF.

Furthermore, five UCLA players scored in double figures, including Londynn Jones, who was sensational from the line with five 3-pointers, and star center Lauren Betts, who had 11 points, 14 rebounds, four assists and four blocks. WHEW. Postgame, Betts raved about her team and how proud she was, but she also sent a direct warning to college basketball. “If you’ve been sleeping on UCLA,” Betts said.  “You need to stop right now.”





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