Dec. 22, 2004
Columbia, S.C. – – South Carolina won its 15th consecutive game over South Carolina State when it claimed a 85-45 victory at the Colonial Center Wednesday.
With the win, South Carolina claimed its second consecutive victory this year and improved to 4-6 overall, while South Carolina State dipped to 4-4 overall.
The game was blown wide open once the second half began, with the Gamecocks going on a 30-7 run to open the second stanza. In doing so, Carolina owned a 74-36 advantage and were well on their way to the easy victory.
The game got out to a fast start on both sides, with Carolina getting easy buckets in transition and on putbacks. The Gamecocks had 12 offensive rebounds in the first half and 16 total. Though the Gamecocks were able to control the offensive glass in the first half, the advantage was negated because South Carolina State was equally proficient on their offensive glass, hauling in 13 offensive boards of its own.
Sophomore Melanie Johnson recorded her second consecutive double-double, scoring 15 points and setting a new career high with 14 rebounds. Johnson also dished out a career-best five assists and became the first USC player since Cristina Ciocan last year to post a double-double in two consecutive games.
With offensive rebounds canceling each other out, the Gamecocks were able to assert themselves in transition, racing to a 10-0 advantage in fast break points during the first half to go into the locker room with a 44-29 lead. Despite playing only eight minutes in the first half after taking an inadvertent hit in the stomach, Lauren Simms led the team with 11 first-half points. She has scored in double figures in all but one game this year.
Wednesday’s game put a cap on a portion of USC’s schedule in which the Gamecocks played five games in nine days.
The Gamecocks, who entered Wednesday ranked fourth nationally with an SEC-leading 6.8 blocked shots per game, swatted 10 Lady Bulldog attempts. Lakesha Tolliver, who finished the game with five blocks, has swatted three or more shots on seven different occasions this season.
The Gamecocks enjoy a short holiday break before returning to the court on December 29, when they host the USC Tournament. Coastal Carolina, Seton Hall and Campbell round out the field, with Seton Hall facing Campbell at 5:30 on Wednesday and the Gamecocks battling Coastal Carolina at 7:45 p.m. The consolation game is set for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, with the championship game played at 7:45 p.m. USC’s games will be aired live on WISW 1320 AM, with Andy Demetra handling play-by-play and Robin Muller providing analysis.
Quotes
Susan Walvius
Regarding her team’s performance Wednesday:
“I was real impressed with the team and the poise – the balance we had.” “Every time we had a substitute we had a push from the bench and as a coach that is what you want.”
Melanie Johnson
Regarding how the team helps her:
“Once we get in a motion, they all help me out and it contributes to the team.”
Regarding the Gamecocks’ strategy going in:
“We know we had the height advantage and we knew it was time for us to play like an SEC team.”
Angela Hunter
Regarding Melanie Johnson’s Performance
“Mel is just awesome. She is fun to play with. She brings a lot of intensity to the game and she makes everyone else play better.”
Regarding the upcoming SEC schedule:
“It is very crucial that we get momentum going before SEC play. We want to play well together and get some confidence.”
Susan Walvius
“We want to be an up tempo team. We have always played 10-11 players. At first it effected us negatively, but now we are getting to learn each other better.”
