March 24, 2002

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Shaunzinski Gortman and Jocelyn Penn each had 19 points as third-seeded South Carolina beat seventh-seeded Drake 79-65 in an East Regional semifinal on Saturday.

The Gamecocks (25-6) earned their first trip to a regional final, where they will face the winner of Saturday’s game between No. 1 seed Duke and fourth-seeded Texas. The Gamecocks, who were 11-17 last year, are making their first NCAA tournament appearance in 11 years.

Drake (25-8) was looking for its first trip to a regional final since 1982.

South Carolina built a 16-point halftime lead, and then answered every Drake charge as the Bulldogs scrapped to get back into the game.

Trailing 51-33 early in the second half, Drake got consecutive 3-pointers from Erin Richards and Stephanie Schmitz, followed by consecutive inside scores from Carla Bennett to close to 53-43 with 12:12 to play.

But the Bulldogs couldn’t overtake the Gamecocks, who answered with an inside score from Teresa Geter. Over the next three minutes, Drake got within 10 three times only to have the Gamecocks answer with a score on their next possession.

Drake got as close as 69-61 late, but Gortman hit a 3 from the top with 4:03 left and scored seven unanswered points to push the margin to double figures.

Bennett had 20 points to lead Drake.

South Carolina’s man-to-man defense controlled Drake in a brisk first half that saw just six fouls called. The Bulldogs shot just 32 percent and had 12 turnovers.

The Gamecocks scored 13 points off turnovers — the last two coming on Gortman’s layup after a turnover by Schmitz just before halftime — as the Gamecocks methodically pulled away for a 39-23 lead at the break.

South Carolina scored 14 of its last 17 points in the paint before halftime. Seven players scored for the Gamecocks, who shot 55 percent in the half.