Nov. 11, 2006
South Carolina-ETSU Game Notes
South Carolina opens its 33rd season of women’s basketball when it hosts East Tennessee State at 3 p.m. on Sun., Nov. 12, at the Colonial Center.
Ticket Information
Adults are admitted for $7. Youths under the age of 18 are admitted for $3. A family of four is admitted for $18, with a $3 admission for each additional child. The group rate is $3. Groups must call the Colonial Center in advance. The group rate number is 803-576-9077. All other ticket arrangements can be made through the USC Ticket Office toll free at 800- 4SC-FANS or locally at 803-777-4274.
Game Promotions
Fans who show their ticket stub from the South Carolina vs. Arkansas football game played Nov. 4 will be admitted for $3.
On The Air
The game will be broadcast live on WISW 1320 AM Radio in Columbia, with Brad Heller handling play-by-play duties and Robin Muller providing analysis. For fans outside of the Columbia area, the game can be accessed worldwide via the internet at uscsports.com.
How To Access the Web Broadcast
Go to uscsports.com, then click on the women’s basketball link on the left side of the page. From there, click on the “schedule” link near the top of the page, then click on the “Audio Broadcasts” link at the top of the page. Choose women’s basketball from the scroll bar on the right side of the page and choose the desired game from the list.
Series Notes
South Carolina and East Tennessee State have faced each other 10 times through the years, with the Gamecocks winning nine of the 10 meetings, including each of the last seven contests betweenthe two schools. East Tennessee’s lone victory over the Gamecocks was a 70-59 triumph in 1983. The only meeting between the two schools that involved current coaches Susan Walvius and Karen Kemp resulted in a 117-71 South Carolina win in 2000. The Gamecocks scored 65 first-half points in that game en route to blowing out the Buccaneers.
History In Season Openers
Through the years, South Carolina has compiled a 22-10 record in season openers and has won six of its last nine. Entering this season, the Gamecocks have opened their season at home 10 times, compiling an 8-2 mark in those contests. Carolina hasn’t lost a season-opener played at home in over 20 years. The last team to beat the Gamecocks in a season-opener played in Columbia was South Carolina State, who handed the Gamecocks a 70-64 setback to open the 1975-1976 season.
ETSU-South Carolina Connections
The East Tennessee State roster is dotted by three players from the state of South Carolina. Junior guard Nicole Akers is from Sumter (Crestwood HS), junior guard Alisha Holmes is from Orangeburg (Orangeburg-Wilkinson HS) and senior guard Holly Moring hails from nearby Irmo (Dutch Fork HS).
No players on the South Carolina roster call Tennessee home, but assistant coach Michelle Marciniak played her college ball at the University of Tennessee.
Perhaps the closest tie from South Carolina to East Tennessee State lies with Gamecock head football coach Steve Spurrier, who was raised in Johnson City, Tenn., where ETSU is located.
Carolina In A Nutshell
South Carolina comes off a 17-12 season in 2005-06 that resulted in a trip to the Women’s NIT. The Gamecocks finished with a 7-7 record in SEC play. Head Coach Susan Walvius welcomes back all five starters and 12 letterwinners from last year’s team. All tolled, Carolina returns 97 percent of its scoring, 96 percent of its rebounding, 95 percent of its assists, 94 percent of its blocked shots and 95 percent of it steals from a year ago.
South Carolina’s returning players have combined to play in 697 games and make 327 starts entering the 2006-07 season. Both figures represent the highest totals of any team in the SEC. Forward Melanie Johnson was a second-team All-SEC pick in 2005-06 and forward Demetress Adams was a Freshman All-SEC pick. The Gamecocks face a difficult non-conference schedule this year that includes trips to Penn State, NC State and reigning Pac-10 champion and Elite Eight participant Stanford in addition to home contests against reigning Big 12 champion and Sweet 16 participant Oklahoma and Clemson.
