South Carolina Gamecocks Continue Dominance with Win over UConn Huskies
In a thrilling matchup between two powerhouse women's college basketball teams, the top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks emerged victorious with a convincing 83-65 win over the 11th-ranked UConn Huskies. The Gamecocks showed their depth and resilience by securing the victory without their star player, Kamilla Cardoso, who was away for Olympic qualifying with Brazil's national team.
The Oregon transfer, Te-Hina Paopao, had an outstanding performance for South Carolina, contributing 21 points, including five 3-pointers. Paired with her was the impressive junior point guard, Raven Johnson, who recorded a double-double with 10 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. The young sophomore forwards, Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts, also showcased their talent for the second consecutive game, collectively contributing 29 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks. Coach Dawn Staley expressed her admiration for her team's performance, stating, 'I'm impressed.'
UConn, led by legendary coach Geno Auriemma, had hoped to take advantage of Cardoso's absence. However, the Gamecocks' unique style of play and relentless pressure proved too much for the Huskies to handle. Despite a strong start, UConn found themselves trailing by double digits after a 24-11 run by South Carolina in the first half. They never managed to close the gap to less than 12 points, as South Carolina continued their dominance.
Paopao's stellar performance was a highlight of the game, as she registered her highest point total since joining South Carolina. After a four-game stretch where she made just five 3-pointers combined, Paopao proved her ability to deliver when it mattered most. Reflecting on her success, Paopao humbly said, 'You've just got to stay locked in. They went in.'
South Carolina's formidable defense played a significant role in their victory, frustrating UConn's star player, Paige Bueckers. Despite scoring 20 points, Bueckers struggled with her shooting, making only 8 of 20 attempts. Coach Staley emphasized the Gamecocks' defensive efforts, stating, 'We just wanted to make it hard for her. She definitely felt our presence on her.'
The win against UConn marked South Carolina's 54th consecutive home victory. The Gamecocks have proven time and again that they are a force to be reckoned with, especially against ranked opponents. This victory improved their record to 23-0 this season, remaining unbeaten.
UConn, once the most dominant program in women's college basketball, now finds themselves trailing behind the Gamecocks. South Carolina has won two national titles since UConn's last championship in 2016. The Gamecocks are determined to build on last year's Final Four appearance, showcasing the same determination and drive in their young roster this season.
In a show of continued rivalry, UConn and South Carolina have scheduled future games to further test their abilities against each other. The yearly game will return to Columbia next season, compensating for South Carolina having to play twice in a row in Connecticut in 2021 and 2023. The 2022 game, originally planned at the Gamecocks' arena, was canceled by mutual agreement after the teams had already met earlier in the season during a Thanksgiving week tournament.
Notably, the game attracted attention from the country's top uncommitted women's recruit, Sarah Strong. Strong, the daughter of South Carolina native Allison Feaster, who made history by leading 16th-seeded Harvard to the first-ever upset of a No. 1 seed in Stanford during the 1998 NCAA Tournament, garnered fan support with chants of 'We want Sarah.'
Looking ahead, UConn will face Xavier on Wednesday night, while South Carolina will travel to Tennessee for their next game on Thursday night.
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