Dec. 1, 2006

Columbia, S.C. – For the second game in a row, the Gamecocks took more shots than their opponent and outrebounded their opponent, but the result ended up being the same: a loss. Despite pulling down 26 offensive rebounds against both Louisiana-Lafayette and N.C. State, the iron continues to be unkind to Carolina. Shots seem to bounce every way but the right way. It’s left the team searching for answers.

“We know we can shoot,” senior guard Lauren Simms said. “We knock down our shots in practice. It’s a matter of believing that we can do it during games.”

South Carolina has proven it can light up the scoreboard already this season, racking up a Colonial Center record 117 points against North Carolina A&T. Even with Wednesday night’s 53-41 loss to N.C. State, the Gamecocks are still averaging 74 points per game. Head Coach Susan Walvius believes there might be a carry-over effect.

“Sometimes when things didn’t go well for you in the last game, or if things don’t go well for you early, you get a little tight,” said Walvius. “But I’m confident our kids can get this done.”

The players are confident as well. This is an experienced group that won 17 games last season and earned a trip to the postseason. The Gamecocks may be down, but they are far from out.

“Every team goes through a stretch like this,” said Simms. “We’re finding out who we are right now. We can’t drop our heads, we just have to move on.”

The Gamecocks will begin a five game homestand against Fordham on Sunday. That’s followed by a date with No. 3 Oklahoma on Thursday. But, when you’re in a little slump, the last thing you want to do is look too far ahead.

“There’s always a sense of urgency to win,” says senior Iva Sliskovic, who scored 17 of the 41 points on Wednesday. “But the only way to do that is to take it one game, one possession at a time.”

As long as the Gamecocks do that, it’s only a matter of time before more rebounds and more shots lead to more points.