Nov. 6, 2007

COLUMBIA – Building a lead as large as 21 points in the first half, South Carolina women’s basketball topped the All-Stars 80-68 in exhibition play tonight at the Colonial Center. Playing much like their youth, the Gamecocks scored and defended in fits and starts, but used an 18-2 run to open a double-digit lead early in the first half and an 8-0 spurt in the second half after the All-Stars had pulled within six. Senior Lakesha Tolliver led all scorers with 18 points, while junior Demetress Adams added 14 points and 13 rebounds.

Shaky shooting from the Gamecocks helped the All-Stars open with an early four-point lead. A pair of free throws from Adams and a jumper from Ilona Burgrova started the 18-2 run. Burgrova put South Carolina up 8-4 with a free throw at the 16:04 mark, which was the only point for the next two minutes before Tolliver sank a lay-up at 14:05 for a 10-4 advantage. Another Tolliver jumper and back-to-back 3-pointers from Ebony Jones and Jordan Jones pushed the lead to 12 just 90 seconds later. The lead grew to 21 points at 35-14 at 6:32 in the first period on a bucket from Jewel May.

The All-Stars narrowed the lead to 44-29 at the break and opened the second half with a 15-6 run, capped by a Tasha Phillips lay-up. With their lead down to six, the Gamecocks again mounted a rally, led by Adams’ lay-up and short jumper. Freshman Samone Kennedy cranked up the pace on both ends of the floor with a pair of steals and a fast break lay-up to get the lead back up to 12. Adams capped the run with another short jumper for a 58-44 Gamecock advantage. The All-Stars kept the pressure on, drawing within 10 points with 1:52 remaining on the last two of Phillips’ 17 points on the night.

The Gamecocks out-rebounded the All-Stars 48-40 and shot 42.9 percent from the field. Burgrova joined Tolliver and Adams in double figures with 10 points, while Kennedy dished out five assists against just two turnovers. For the All-Stars, Monique Blake netted 13 points and Chelsea Grear added 10 to Phillips’ 17.

South Carolina opens the regular season on Fri., Nov. 9, against Saint Francis (Pa.). Tipoff for the first half of the doubleheader is set for 5:30 p.m.