Nov. 9, 2007
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COLUMBIA – With five players in double figures, including four who set career highs, South Carolina women’s basketball overwhelmed Saint Francis (Pa.) 93-33 in the season opener tonight at the Colonial Center. Junior Demetress Adams led all scorers with 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while junior Brionna Dickerson celebrated her 21st birthday with a career-high 17 points on 8-of-16 shooting.
The Gamecocks wasted little time in getting the offense going as freshman Jordan Jones drained a 3-pointer from the right wing 17 seconds into the contest. Adams hit a lay-up off a feed from Jones 30 seconds later, and the Gamecocks never looked back. Carolina built a double-digit lead on a transition lay-up from C.J. Pace to go up 19-9 at the 10:23 mark and never let the Red Flash get any closer. Saint Francis managed just six more points in the half, while the Gamecocks continued to hit shots for a 47-15 lead at the break.
After blistering the nets with a 56.3 field goal percentage in the first half, the Gamecocks cooled off only slightly to hit 50 percent in the second half. Jones netted all 15 of her points in the first half, while Adams piled on in the second, tallying 16 of her 21 after the break. She completed her double-double with 12 rebounds. Dickerson capped the scoring with a jumper in the lane to set her career high of 17 points.
Joining Adams, Dickerson and Jones in double-figure points were freshman Samone Kennedy and senior Lakesha Tolliver. Kennedy opened her college career with 13 points, hitting 5-of-6 from the field while handing out three assists and swiping three steals. Tolliver posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds and doubled her career high with six steals.
South Carolina returns to action on Thu., Nov. 15, hosting Virginia at the Colonial Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
