South-Carolina

South Carolina women’s basketball dominates Vanderbilt in the paint, wins 91-74

Published

11 months ago

January 28, 2024

South Carolina women’s basketball dominates Vanderbilt in the paint, wins 91-74

COLUMBIA — Senior center Kamilla Cardoso tied a season-high with 23 points, helping push South Carolina women’s basketball to a 91-74 victory over Vanderbilt in front of a sold-out crowd Sunday at Colonial Life Arena.

The No. 1 Gamecocks (19-0, 7-0 SEC) used their size advantage to dominate the Commodores (17-4, 4-3) in the paint, outscoring them 48-28.

Vanderbilt hung around for much of the first half, taking a lead early in the second quarter. It was down just four points halfway through the quarter when the Gamecocks went on an offensive run.

Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao scored five points and sophomore forward Ashlyn Watkins added three more in an 8-0 run for South Carolina. Junior guard Bree Hall added a 3-pointer to extend the Gamecocks’ lead at halftime to 12 points.

South Carolina continued to build its lead in the third quarter, extending it as large as 20 points thanks to Cardoso’s performance in the paint and a 3-pointer by sophomore guard Raven Johnson.

Vanderbilt struggles against Cardoso’s size

Cardoso scored 23 points, taking advantage of her length against a smaller Vanderbilt team.

The Commodores, who don’t have a player taller than 6-foot-4, struggled to match the 6-foot-7 Cardoso’s size. Cardoso made four of her first five shots in the game, then started the second half off by making five shots in a row.

After missing her last five shots in the first half, Cardoso came out after the break and was much better underneath the rim. She scored 13 points in the third quarter alone, making all five of her field goal attempts and added three points at the charity stripe.

After starting 2-for-4 from the free throw line, Cardoso finished 5-for-7. She also had six rebounds and two blocks.

Raven Johnson dishes assists

Sophomore guard Raven Johnson contributed 10 points and seven assists to the win in one of her best all-around performances in SEC play.

Johnson’s seven assists, her most since recording 17 assists in a win over Clemson, 109-40, on Nov. 16, and her most in conference play this season. Johnson was also the Gamecocks’ best 3-point threat Sunday and was one of two players with multiple 3-point makes. She finished the night 2-for-3 from deep.

Both Te-Hina Paopao and MiLaysia Fulwiley struggled from beyond the arc. Paopao, who leads the nation in 3-point shooting percentage, was 1-for-7, while Fulwiley finished 2-for-9. The Gamecocks, who lead the nation shooting 43.5% as a team from deep, were 7-for-23 in the game.

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South-Carolina

Gamecocks Motivated About Citrus Bowl Opportunity

Published

50 minutes ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

Gamecocks Motivated About Citrus Bowl Opportunity

As South Carolina prepares for its Citrus Bowl matchup against Illinois, the message from players is clear: this team isn’t just happy to be in Orlando.

The No. 15 Gamecocks (9-3) have their sights set on a historic tenth win, which would mark only the eighth time in program history the team has reached double-digit victories. Despite the disappointment of missing the expanded College Football Playoff, players emphasized their focus has shifted entirely to ending the season on a high note against the Fighting Illini (9-3).

“It’s just another chance to play with my teammates. All of them are like my brothers, even the coaching staff,” said defensive lineman Boogie Huntley, who confirmed earlier this week that he will play in the bowl game. “It’s just another opportunity to go out and have fun, show the nation and the world who South Carolina is.”

The Gamecocks enter the December 31 matchup at Camping World Stadium riding high after their victory over rival Clemson, a game that produced several players’ favorite moments of the season. Linebacker Debo Williams cited quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ game-winning touchdown run against the Tigers as his top memory, while Demetrius Knight Jr. still possesses the ball from his crucial interception to seal the rivalry win.

Sellers, whose heroics in the Clemson game have made him something of a campus celebrity, has maintained his focus despite the increased attention. “I trust him,” Sellers said of his relationship with coach Mike Shula, who was officially confirmed as the team’s new offensive coordinator earlier this week. “He’s coached a lot of guys and has a history with a lot of guys in the NFL. It’s about him trusting me and us continuing to have a great relationship from here on out.”

The defense, which has been a strength all season, appears motivated to finish strong. Safety Nick Emmanwori emphasized the team’s desire to approach this game differently than other teams who missed the playoff. “We want to come with a different mental approach,” Emmanwori said, noting the team is using the playoff snub as motivation.

For seniors like Tonka Hemingway, who recently won the Ray Tanner award, the bowl game represents one final opportunity to represent the school. “I’m really excited to put on the Garnet and black one more time and just leave it all out there,” Hemingway said.

South Carolina enters the game as an 9.5-point favorite against an Illinois team led by former Ole Miss quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has thrown for over 2,500 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. on ABC, as the Gamecocks seek to close out what has already been a memorable season with one more victory.

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South-Carolina

One dead in Orangeburg Co. Saturday night crash

Published

9 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

One dead in Orangeburg Co. Saturday night crash

ORANGEBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WCSC) – The South Carolina Highway Patrol says one person has died in an Orangeburg County crash from Saturday night.

Sgt. Tyler Tidwell says this accident happened at approximately 7:05 p.m. on Redmond Mill Road near Magenta Drive. This is about four miles east of the Town of North.

Tidwell says a Hyundai sedan was traveling west on Redmond Mill Road when they went off to the road to the left and struck a tree. They were the only person in the car and the only vehicle involved.

The Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office has not yet identified the victim.

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South Carolina offers transfer portal DL

Published

16 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Press Room

South Carolina offers transfer portal DL

South Carolina continues to mine the transfer portal to fill needs and the Gamecocks have sent out another known offer to an interior defensive lineman.

Bowling Green transfer portal DL Davonte Miles posted on Twitter/X Saturday that the Gamecocks have offered the 6-foot-5, 275-pounder.

In addition to South Carolina, Miles is hearing from Mississippi State, Memphis, Northwestern, and UConn.

South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:

Miles is expected to play in Bowling Green’s bowl game on Dec. 26 and will likely make a decision after that.

Listed as a redshirt sophomore, Miles should have two years of eligibility left.

Miles collected 10 tackles, including a tackle-for-loss, and two quarterback hurries this season.

He is originally from River Rouge, Mich.

South Carolina is expected to bring in multiple interior defensive linemen from the portal as the Gamecocks will have to replace Tonka Hemingway, Boogie Huntley, Deandre Jules, and likely T.J. Sanders from this year’s talented group.

Carolina already has one portal commitment at the position in Texas A&M transfer and former five-star Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy.

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