South Carolina is an incredible team that has done spectacular things all season long, which is why they’re the odds on favorite at sportsbooks to win the women’s NCAA Tournament. However, the Gamecocks’ dominance reached another level on Friday.
In the first round of the tournament, Dawn Staley’s squad held its opponent, the Howard Bison, to four total points in the first half. You read that correctly. Four total points — breaking Prairie View’s record (eight points) for the fewest points scored in a half in NCAA Tournament history.
The points, all by junior guard Iyanna Warren, came on one field goal and two free throws.
South Carolina is up 44-4 on Howard at half. pic.twitter.com/i2LYFTZDAi
— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) March 18, 2022
What’s lost in South Carolina’s dominant defensive performance is the fact that Howard’s defense actually is doing a good job, as well. The Bison held South Carolina to 36.2 percent shooting (17-47) and 9.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc (2-22).
Yet, the only thing that pops off the page is the 44-4 score at the break.
Keep in mind, the record for the fewest points scored in a women’s NCAA game is 11 points, which belongs to Tennessee State (2011).
The South Carolina Women's 🏀 team = DESTRUCTION #NCAAW #MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/VZvPYW5Led
— BetFTW (@Bet_ForTheWin) March 18, 2022
Let’s check in on the NCAAW Tournament…
South Carolina -47.5 👀 pic.twitter.com/hiwxv4KdDu
— OddsChecker (@OddsCheckerUS) March 18, 2022
Hoping that’s a technical glitch or a scoreboard malfunction and not the South Carolina-Howard women’s score 🤯
— David Steele (@David_C_Steele) March 18, 2022
NCAA Tournament record for fewest 1H points:
WBB: 4pts – #16 Howard vs. #1 South Carolina (2022)
MBB: 16pts – #2 Michigan vs. #3 Texas Tech (2019)
— Troy Machir (@TroyMachir) March 18, 2022
South Carolina gotta chill lol pic.twitter.com/KtmnT3dHw6
— Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) March 18, 2022
I don’t care who you’re playing, that’s damn impressive.
This just feels like South Carolina’s year to win it all. https://t.co/j2R62OM2Ji
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) March 18, 2022
So, about last half…
South Carolina held the Bison to just four points, a new NCAA Tournament record for fewest points in a half of 1st or 2nd round games!
The previous low was eight in the first half by Prairie View vs. Baylor (3/20/11).#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/PTsxrLYiJT
— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) March 18, 2022
