Nov. 14, 2007
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Series Notes
This will be the fifth meeting between the Gamecocks and Cavaliers. Virginia has a 3-1 edge in the series after winning the last three contests. The Cavaliers won the most recent meeting, which was a 66-49 decision in Charlottesville on Jan. 2, 2005. Virginia also won the only previous meeting in Columbia, claiming a 70-68 victory on Dec. 20, 1984. South Carolina won the first game of the series 71-52 back on Feb. 28, 1981.
Scouting the Cavaliers
Virginia is 1-1 on the season after dropping a narrow 70-68 decision to No. 14/13 George Washington Monday night. In her season debut, junior forward Lyndra Littles came off the bench against GW to lead the Cavaliers with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Sophomore Paulisha Kellum has started both games and is second on the team with 10 ppg, while junior transfer center Aisha Mohammed has pulled down 9.5 rebounds per game in her first two starts. In her 31st season at Virginia, head coach Debbie Ryan has a 652-279 record, including a trip to the WNIT quarterfinals last season.
Last Time Out
South Carolina improved to 24-10 in season openers with a convincing 93-33 victory over Saint Francis (Pa.) last Friday night. Five Gamecocks reached double figures in the outing, including junior Demetress Adams and senior Lakesha Tolliver who each recorded a double-double. Adams led all scorers with a career-high 21 points to go with a game-high 12 rebounds. Birthday girl Brionna Dickerson also posted a career high with 17 points.
Ticket Information Adults are admitted for $7. Youth under the age of 18 are admitted for $3. Season tickets are $40. For more information or to order tickets, contact the South Carolina Ticket Office toll free at 800-4SC-FANS or locally at 803-777-4274. Tickets can also be ordered via the athletics web siteGamecocksOnline.com.
Game Promotions
As a kickoff to Rivalry Week, the first 400 University of South Carolina students in the door get a free “Beat Clemson” t-shirt.
Suddenly Susan
Head coach Susan Walvius enters her 11th season as the Gamecocks’ mentor with a 149-144 record. She has led South Carolina to two NCAA Tournaments and two WNITs, including an NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 2001-02. Her players have also excelled in the classroom. In 2006-07, 10 Gamecocks appeared on the SEC Winter Sports Academic Honor Roll. In the last four years, South Carolina has placed more student-athletes on that list than any other school.
A South Carolina Win Would …
- Improve the Gamecocks’ record to 73-68 in games played against teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference
- Improve Susan Walvius’ record to 102-47 in regular-season games played against non-conference opponents
- Improve Susan Walvius’ record to 69-11 in regular-season non-conference home games
Fresh Frosh
With six true freshmen on the roster this season, rookie guard Jordan Jones set the tone early. Behind 15 points in the first 13 minutes against Saint Francis, including four 3-pointers, Jones was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for the period ending Nov. 11.
Double Double-Double
In the season opener against Saint Francis (Pa.), a pair of Gamecocks posted double-doubles for the second time in two seasons. Forwards Lakesha Tolliver and Demetress Adams accomplished the feat against the Red Flash, while Melanie Johnson and Ilona Burgrova turned the trick at Wilmington on Dec. 30, 2006. Prior to last season’s effort, the last Gamecock duo to record double-doubles was Iva Sliskovic and Cristina Ciocan against Southern Utah on Dec. 5, 2003.
High Fliers
With 93 points against Saint Francis (Pa.) in the season opener, the Gamecocks put up their highest offensive output since hanging 95 on Alabama on Jan. 14, 2007. South Carolina also won that game by 60 points, the largest margin of victory over an SEC opponent in the program’s history.
Carolina in a Nutshell
Coming off back-to-back postseason appearances, South Carolina craves an upper tier finish in the SEC and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. To achieve that, the Gamecocks will rely on five veterans to meet their potential while helping a stockpile of newcomers acclimate to the college game.
In Ilona Burgrova, Lakesha Tolliver and Demetress Adams, the Gamecocks have the luxury of experienced players that can dominate the post. The inside cannot thrive unless the perimeter provides support, though, so the Gamecocks will build a balanced attack in which the interior will be the focus but the perimeter will make defenses pay for overcommitting.
The Gamecocks look to live up to their reputation as one of the country’s best defensive and rebounding teams, although the usually aggressive approach may be altered to accommodate the newcomers. A match-up zone early in the season will facilitate rebounding and defending dribble penetration until the younger players show they can execute the more up-tempo defensive style.