Te-Hina Paopao Named SEC Player of the Week
COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball senior Te-Hina Paopao was named SEC Player of the Week for her role in a pair of Gamecock victories last week, including their fourth against a ranked opponent, which leads the nation.
Paopao tied for team-high scoring honors with 13.5 points per game last week, which she did on 58.8 percent shooting, including 45.5 percent form 3-point range. She also contributed 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals in wins over Morgan State and #11/7 Utah.
With 15 points and three steals against #11/7 Utah, Paopao was named the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase Game MVP. Her defensive effort against the Utes helped hold the nation’s most efficient 3-point shooting team to just 25.0 percent from beyond the arc. Paopao also hit clutch shots in the game, scoring a team-high seven points in the fourth quarter, including a tough 3 after Utah had pulled within three midway through the period. She also drew an offensive foul in a five-point game with 56 seconds to go.
On the season, Paopao is 15th in the nation with an SEC-best 51.2 percent 3-point shooting, and her 2.75 made 3s per game are second in the SEC. her 13.1 points per game for the season including a team-high 14.3 points per game against ranked opponents. She is one of four Gamecock guards shooting over 50.0 percent from the field on the season, and she is second on the team in assists at 3.5 per game.
South Carolina is back in action on Sat., Dec. 16, against Presbyterian. Tipoff at Colonial Life Arena is set for 1 p.m., and selected concessions items (hot dog, popcorn, regular fountain soda and bottled water) will be free at this game when using the Forever Garnet App.
Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on South Carolina women’s basketball.
