Jan. 16, 2005
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s basketball team held an eight-point lead at halftime, but could not stop Florida’s second half surge as it fell 67-57 on Sunday at the Colonial Center.
The Gamecocks’ record dropped to 6-11 overall and 0-3 in Southeastern Conference play while the Gators improved to 12-5 and 3-1 in league games.
Carolina applied tough defensive pressure in the first half and forced Florida into 13 turn overs.
Both teams shot the ball fairly well in the first 20 minutes of the game. Early on, UF’s best success on the offensive end of the floor came from long range. The Gators’ first five made field goals were from behind the three-point arc, including two apiece for Tamia Williams and Tashia Morehead.
The Gamecocks found their shooting touch from deep as well, hitting 6-of-13 threes in the first half. Angela Hunter led the way as she drained 3-of-5 treys and paced USC with 11 points. Melanie Johnson was productive as well. She scored six points and grabbed five rebounds to go with a pair of steals and a pair of assists.
As a team, Carolina shot .483 percent (14-of 29) and Florida shot .417 (10-of-24). USC held a 35-27 advantage at intermission and looked to build on its 6-2 record this season when leading at halftime.
In the opening minutes of the second half, it looked as if Carolina would maintain control. The two teams traded baskets for the first five minutes and USC led 46-34 with 15:22 remaining.
From there, the Gamecocks struggled to put the ball in the basket. Florida took over, going on a 24-3 run over the next seven minutes, and USC never really answered to get back in the game.
Unlike the first half, USC went cold from three-point range in the second. The Gamecocks were 3-of-14 in the closing 20 minutes and finished 9-of-27 (.333) overall.
Hunter was South Carolina’s leading scorer with 12 points. Ilona Burgrova scored 10 points, marking the fourth time this season and the second straight game the freshman has reached double-figures. Johnson, who battled foul trouble down the stretch, and Olga Gritsaeva both chipped in with eight points. Johnson also paced the Gamecocks on the boards with nine.
Williams scored 16 points in the second half for Florida to lead all scorers with 21. Bernice Mosby posted a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds and Morehead netted 16 points.
South Carolina plays back-to-back games on the road next week, beginning with a Jan. 20 game at Alabama. Thursday’s contest between the Gamecocks and Crimson Tide tips off at 8 p.m. (ET) and will be televised live by FSN South. USC travels to Arkansas on Sunday, Jan. 23.
