Jan 4, 2003

By PETE IACOBELLI
AP Sports Writer

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Jocelyn Penn scored a school-record 51 points as No. 16 South Carolina defeated Stetson 101-39 on Saturday night.

Penn’s free throw with four-tenths of a second left broke the mark set by Shannon Johnson in 1996. Penn matched the record with 50 points in a 99-46 victory over Wofford on Dec. 4.

The Gamecocks never have been much of a factor in their first 10 SEC seasons, but for the second straight year they’ll enter league play at 12-1.

The biggest reason is Penn, who leads the SEC in scoring, shooting percentage and steals. Against Stetson (1-9), she was unstoppable, making 19 of 29 shots and grabbing 15 rebounds.

Penn put this one away early, scoring 11 points during a 13-0 first-half run that turned a two-point deficit into a 21-10 lead for the Gamecocks.

After Cristina Ciocan’s jumper tied it at 10-10, Penn made a steal and hit two foul shots. Penn’s drive increased the lead to 16-10. Then she made an open 3-pointer and finished her run with an inside basket with 10:56 left.

Kristy Brown had 12 points to lead the Hatters, who couldn’t recover against South Carolina’s pressure. Penn’s run for the record was the only thing that kept the crowd interested down the stretch.

South Carolina coach Susan Walvius got some criticism for using a pressing defense and directing the offense at Penn in the Wofford blowout. But this time, Penn did it on her own.

She reached 40 points on an inside shot with 6:10 left. A putback gave her 49 points with two minutes to go. Penn’s attempt with 52 seconds left bounced out. She finally tied the record by making the first of a one-and-one with 11.1 seconds left, then was fouled as she tried a basket from the top of the key.

The crowd and her teammates called for quiet as Penn prepared to shoot. Moments later, the record was hers.

Stetson, averaging 27 turnovers a game this year, committed 34 in this one, leading to many easy Gamecock baskets – most of them by Penn.

The Gamecocks open SEC play Thursday night at home against No. 18 Mississippi State.