Jan. 4, 2003
Columbia, S.C. – In their final game before beginning Southeastern Conference play, the University of South Carolina (12-1) defeated Stetson University (1-9) by a score of 101-39. Senior Jocelyn Penn led all scorers with 51 points, a new single-game scoring record for the Gamecocks, on 19-29 shooting. This is the second school record that Penn has attained after becoming USC’s all-time leader in steals against South Carolina State. Penn also had 15 rebounds and added six steals to her USC record. This was Penn’s 14th double-double of her career and her 5th of the year. With her 51, Penn jumped from the number 10 all-time scorer to number eight. Penn said, “It wasn’t my game objective [to break the record]. My objective was to help the team win. It was important to compete and scrap every minute of the game to prepare for the SEC.”
Gamecock defense held strong during the entire game, allowing the Hatters to go just 16-47 from the field and forcing 34 turnovers. Stetson shot just eight foul shots the entire game. Freshman Sarah Burgess was perfect 3-3 from the 3-point line and ended the game with 11 points and four steals in 21 minutes. Junior Christina Ciocan added seven steals to the defensive effort.
Head Coach Susan Walvius said, “We gave a lot of players a lot of experience tonight. I wasn’t crazy about how we started out, but after that we did a better job of defending and rebounding and that’s what made the difference tonight.” About Jocelyn Penn she said, “No matter how many points she had, she would have been in the game. We needed to get her ready for the SEC and hopefully she is more ready now than she was before.”
The Gamecocks have now won 15 straight games at home and are undefeated (9-0) in the Carolina Center. The next home game will be the SEC opener against Mississippi State on Jan. 9, 2003 in the Carolina Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
