Dec. 29, 2002

Jocelyn Penn scored 28 points and brought down 8 boards to lead No. 18 South Carolina to a 96-52 win over Alcorn State in the Carolina Center on Sunday. Penn’s 28 points moved her into 10th place all time on the USC scoring list. Penn also became the fourth player in Carolina history to record 1,500 points, grab 500 rebounds, and make 200 steals.

South Carolina’s offense was on high gear as the Gamecocks shot 64.5% from the floor in the first half. The Gamecocks took advantage in the paint in the first half to post their high field goal percentage. Carolina outscored Alcorn State 26-8 in the paint during the first half and went on to outscore them 52-24 in the paint. The Gamecocks, 10-1, had 19 of those 26 points off turnovers. The transition play helped Carolina to a 48-30 lead at the break.

In the second half, the Gamecocks defense shut down the Brave offense holding them to only 29% after allowing the Braves to shoot 44% from the floor. The Gamecocks continued their hot offensive performance as they shot 52% from the floor. South Carolina had five players to score in double figures. Cristina Ciocan had 14, Kelly Morrone posted 12 while Tonisha Reese and Petra Ujhelyi chipped in 13. Carolina’s overall game play went on to blow the Braves away, 96-52.

“I thought our overall team effort was good today,” said USC Head Coach Susan Walvius. “We scored 96 points against a very good Alcorn State team. They have won their last five games and they are very athletic. In the first half we shot 64.5% from the floor and that is because we get opportunities in our transition game. Good things happen when you run the floor.”

South Carolina returns to action in the Carolina Center on December 31 at 4pm to take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs.