Feb. 20, 2005
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of South Carolina women’s basketball team snapped its nine-game losing streak by beating Alabama, 66-57, on Sunday afternoon at the Colonial Center. Four USC players scored in double-figures and the Gamecock defense limited the Crimson Tide to 37.3 percent shooting en route to the victory.
The Gamecocks also broke a 17-game SEC losing streak on Sunday. Ironically, USC’s last win over a conference foe came on Feb. 12, 2004, a 77-51 victory over Alabama in Columbia. Carolina’s record is 7-19 on the year and 1-11 in the SEC. The Crimson Tide fell to 13-12 overall and 4-8 in the league. Today’s win marked South Carolina’s fifth in the last seven games against Alabama.
The Gamecocks came out with intensity and executed well for the majority of the first half. Sophomore Stacy Booker, making her eighth straight start, led the way. Booker scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the first half. She hit 6-of-9 field goal attempts, including a pair of three-point shots.
USC outscored Alabama in the paint, 16-8, and Iva Sliskovic and Ilona Burgrova both chipped in with four points. The Gamecocks led by as many as 10 points with 7:51 left to play in the first half.
The Gamecocks were dealt a blow with just over six minutes remaining before intermission when sophomore guard Lauren Simms went down with an injury. Simms was injured while going up for a rebound. She missed the remainder of the game with a sprained right knee, and was scheduled for an MRI later today.
A couple minutes following Simms’ injury, Alabama went on a 7-0 run to close the gap. South Carolina recovered and headed to the locker room with a 30-25 advantage at the half.
South Carolina’s strong play carried over into the second half as the Gamecocks never trailed in the final 20 minutes. Alabama cut the lead to three at 42-39 with 13:34 showing on the clock, but Booker canned a three-pointer on USC’s next possession. The Crimson Tide got no closer than five the rest of the way.
Burgrova stepped up her play in the second, asserting herself in the paint. The 6-6 center finished with 13 points. Booker tallied a game-high 19 points, on 8-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds and three steals. Lea Fabbri (11) and Sliskovic (10) also finished in double-figures. USC is 7-2 this season when three or more players score in double-figures.
Carolina won the battle on the glass, 36-32. The Gamecocks also scored 30 points in the paint and finished with 17 assists, paced by Sliskovic who had four. USC shot 44.4 percent from the field (24-of-54) and hit 12-of-17 (.706) free throws.
With one blocked shot, sophomore Melanie Johnson moved into sole possession of fifth place on South Carolina’s career blocked shots list.
USC is back in action on Thursday, Feb. 24, when the Kentucky Wildcats visit the Colonial Center. Tip off is set for 7:08 p.m.
