Dec. 20, 2006
Iva Sliskovic posted a triple-double with 18 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. The last Gamecock to post a triple-double was Cristina Ciocan, who scored 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 13 assists against Clemson in 2003.
Carolina’s starting lineup consisted of Stacy Booker, Lauren Simms, Melanie Johnson, Iva Sliskovic and Ilona Burgrova. Both Booker and Burgrova were logging their first starts of the season. Johnson (6-foot-1), Sliskovic (6-foot-5) and Burgrova (6-foot-6) were all taller than High Point’s tallest starters, the 5-foot-11 Leslie Cook and the 5-foot-11 Amber Manuel.
South Carolina opened the game on a 28-8 run and took a 47-21 lead into the locker room at halftime, marking the Gamecocks’ highest first-half scoring output since scoring 57 in the opening stanza against North Carolina A&T on Nov. 17.
The Gamecocks were successful on 14 of their first 20 field goal attempts in the game (.700 pct.)
Melanie Johnson scored 16 points in the first half and went on a 10-1 scoring run by herself to end the opening stanza. She finished with 17 points and seven assists.
Sliskovic blocked a shot attempted by Katie Ralls with 12 seconds remaining in the first half, marking the 100th blocked shot of her career, a figure that moved her out of a tie with Teresa Geter and into sole possession of fifth place on the South Carolina career blocked shots list.
Ilona Burgrova set a new season high with 11 points in Wednesday’s game. Her career high is 17 points, scored against Western Carolina in 2005. Burgrova also matched a season high with seven rebounds Wednesday. She grabbed seven rebounds at Penn State earlier this year.
Wednesday’s win marked the Gamecocks’ 20th consecutive victory over Big South Conference opposition in a streak that dates back to 1978.
Wednesday’s win improved Carolina’s record to 22-6 all-time against teams from the Big South Conference.
Wednesday’s win improved Carolina’s record to 19-3 in home games played against unranked opposition since February of 2005.
Wednesday’s game marked the third meeting between South Carolina and High Point, with the two teams splitting the two previous contests. The Gamecocks claimed a 71-35 win over High Point in the 2005-06 season opener.
South Carolina entered Wednesday’s game leading the SEC in steals (14.89 per game) and offensive rebounds (22.00 per contest).
