Dec. 3, 2007

		Game Notes
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Last Time Out
South Carolina used an early spurt and a late surge to get past UNC Wilmington 72-60 Friday night. The Gamecocks had five players in double figures with senior Lakesha Tolliver leading the way with 18 points. Carolina used a 9-0 run to open the game and, after the Seahawks battled back several times, put together an 11-0 stretch, including 7-of-9 at the free throw line, to seal the win. Junior Demetress Adams posted her second double-double of the season with 11 points and a career-high 13 rebounds.

Series Notes
The Gamecocks are 4-0 against the Lady Bucs, although the teams have not met since Jan. 5, 2000. South Carolina won that game 73-38 in Columbia after just clipping the Lady Bucs 78-74 on Feb. 16, 1999. The teams played a home-and-home during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons.

Scouting the Lady Bucs
Charleston Southern brings a 3-4 record to the Colonial Center after ending a four-game skid with a 55-53 win at College of Charleston on Thursday night. Junior guard Pam Tolbert leads the Lady Bucs’ offense with 19.6 points per game and is the team’s leading long-range shooter, hitting 33.3 percent from behind the 3-point line. Tolbert is second on the team in rebounding at 5.7 rpg, just behind sophomore forward Tina Decarvalho’s 5.9 rpg. As a team, the Lady Bucs score 62.4 ppg on 36.8 percent shooting, including 28.2 percent from the 3-point line. Opponents have scored 66.6 points per game on 43.6 percent shooting, including 28.3 percent from behind the arc, and have out-rebounded CSU by 8.3 boards per game. Head coach Julie Goodenough is in her second season at CSU with a 13-24 record, giving her a 14-year career mark of 224-139.

Injury Report
The Gamecocks have been without two of their starting guards since Nov. 25 as junior Brionna Dickerson and freshman Courtney Newton both left the Illinois game with injuries. Dickerson has a foot injury and is being evaluated day-to-day. Newton suffered a left knee sprain against the Illini and is undergoing rehab. She is expected to miss at least the next two games and will be re-evaluated later this week.

Suddenly Susan
Head coach Susan Walvius is in her 11th season as the Gamecocks’ mentor with a 154-146 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.

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.

A South Carolina Win Would …

• Give the Gamecocks a 24-6 record against Big South Conference teams
• Give South Carolina its best eight-game record since the 2003-04 team opened the season 7-1
• Improve Susan Walvius’ record to 71-11 in regular-season non-conference home games
• Improve Susan Walvius’ record to 106-49 in regular-season games against non-conference opponents

It’s a Block Party!
The NCAA posted the season’s first statistical rankings of the season, and, though games of Dec. 2, South Carolina is tied for 19th in the nation with 5.6 blocked shots per game. The Gamecocks are tied with Alabama for second in the SEC in the category, trailing top-ranked Tennessee’s 8.0 blocks per game. The Lady Vols are second in the nation to North Carolina’s 8.1 per contest. South Carolina senior Lakesha Tolliver is second in the SEC in blocks per game with 2.3, a number that ranks her 36th in the nation. UT’s Candace Parker paces the SEC in the category with 2.8 blocks per game, which is 17th-best in the nation. Michigan State’s Allyssa DeHaan leads the nation with 5.0 per outing.

Hitting the Mark
Junior Demetress Adams ranks 19th in the nation in field goal percentage, according to the NCAA statistical rankings through games of Dec. 2. Shooting 59.4 percent from the field, Adams is second in the SEC behind Vanderbilt’s Liz Sherwood, who leads the nation at 75 percent (54-of-72).

Like a Broken Record
Already the school record holder in single-season blocked shots after swatting away 60 in 2006-07, senior Lakesha Tolliver etched her name in the South Carolina record book again when she blocked seven shots against UNC Wilmington. Tolliver bested the six blocks of Teresa Geter at Alabama on Jan. 14, 2001 and Michelle Murray’s six in three different games. Tolliver is not finished in the records department, however, as her 146 career blocks is just two behind Michelle Murray’s school record of 148. Tolliver has swatted away 2.3 shots per game this season.

More Statistical Stuff
In the first NCAA statistical rankings, which includes games through Dec. 2, South Carolina is among the nation’s top 50 in three categories. The Gamecocks are ranked the highest in blocked shots (see note above), but also come in at 44th in field goal percentage (.446) and 48th in steals per game (11.3). Individually, Adams is the highest-ranked Gamecock, coming in 19th in field goal percentage. Senior Lakesha Tolliver’s 2.3 blocked shots per game are 36th in the nation, while freshman Jordan is 27th in the country in 3-point field goals made with an SEC-high 2.71 per game. Easter Michigan’s Alyssa Pittman leads the nation in that category, hitting 3.9 3-pointer per contest.

Balancing Act
After a 2006-07 campaign that saw the Gamecock frontcourt carrying the load, South Carolina’s offense this season has been more of a balance between inside and outside play. The inside quartet of Demetress Adams, Ilona Burgrova, Jewel May and Lakesha Tolliver has provided 32.9 of the teams 71.4 points per game (46.1%). Last season, the frontcourt accounted for 39.5 of the team’s 68.6 ppg (57.8%).

Bounce Back
South Carolina recovered from its 91-58 loss to Illinois quickly with an 82-66 win over Florida International two days later. In the last four seasons, the Gamecocks are 5-3 in games after a loss of 20 or more points, and one of those losses was last season’s three-point defeat against No. 7 LSU following a 36-point loss at No. 3 Tennessee.

Old Number, New Beginning
After a modest beginning to her career wearing No. 32, this season junior Brionna Dickerson went back to the No. 23 jersey that saw her score 3,400 points in high school. Proof that “A Change Would Do You Good,” as Sheryl Crow has sung, Dickerson’s offense has exploded this season. Averaging 1.8 points and 6.1 points during her freshman and sophomore campaigns, respectively, Dickerson is second on the team with 12.8 ppg early this season. She opened with a career-best 17 points against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Nov. 6 then poured in 27 to guide the Gamecocks past Virginia on Nov. 15. Hitting just nine 3-pointers all of last season, she was 5-of-7 from long range against Virginia, including a perfect 5-of-5 in the first half.

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. She is fourth on the team at 11.7 ppg and is hitting 41.3 percent from behind the 3-point line. Two other first-year players are having an immediate impact on the team. Samone Kennedy leads the team with 22 assists and is third in steals with 12. Courtney Newton is tied for second on the club with 15 assists.

Ms. Clutch
When the game is on the line, toss out the percentages and get the ball to Lakesha Tolliver. The senior began her reputation last season when, despite a 63.6 free throw shooting percentage, she drained three free throws with eight seconds left to tie Mississippi State, giving the Gamecocks the chance to pick up the overtime win. This season, on Nov. 15 against Virginia, South Carolina had one shot to win the game. Tolliver, who was 3-of-8 in the game and 6-of-17 on the season, drilled a 14-foot jumper with 1.3 seconds left to cap off a dramatic 25-7 run over the final 6:46 of the contest.

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.

What’s Next
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but it’s worth noting that South Carolina’s fall signing class is ranked among the nation’s elite. Blue Star Basketball has tabbed the Gamecocks’ fivesome of Becky Burke, Taylor Dalrymple, Charenee Stephens, Sada Wheeler and Tonia Williams the seventh-best class in the nation. Carolina is just behind perennial powers Tennessee, LSU, Rutgers, Connecticut, North Carolina and Georgetown. It is the highest-ranked recruiting class of head coach Susan Walvius’ tenure at South Carolina and is her third nationally-ranked group in the last four years.

The Adams Family
Junior Demetress Adams (Bishopville, S.C./Lee Central) leads the Gamecocks with 14.1 ppg and 7.9 rebounds per game … is shooting 59.4 percent from the field to rank second in the SEC and 19th in the nation … has been the team’s leading scorer three times, including two games in which she collected team-high honors in rebounds as well … has reached double figures in points in all seven games … pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds and added 11 points for her second double-double of the season against UNC Wilmington … also handed out a team-high five assists against the Seahawks to match her career high … was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field at Florida International … swiped four steals against Illinois while leading the team with 14 points and tying for team-high honors with five rebounds … sank a career-high eight shots against Penn State en route to a team-high 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds as well … just missed out on team-high honors with seven rebounds against Buffalo … scored a career-high 21 points against Saint Francis (Pa.), including going 7-of-8 from the free throw line, and completed the double-double with a career-high tying 12 rebounds.

Know Your ABCs
Freshman Ashlie Billingslea (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) continues to rehab after surgery on her left knee in mid-September.

That’s Czech Mate
Senior Ilona Burgrova (Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic) is second on the team in rebounding with 7.6 boards per game and is adding 6.0 points per contest … has led the team in rebounding in four of seven games this season, including three game of double-digit boards … scored a season-high 10 points against UNC Wilmington … grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds at Florida International, one shy of her career high, and tied her season high of eight points … also matched her career high with a team-high four assists at FIU … pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds against Penn State, including five on the offensive end, and tied her season high with eight points … reached double figures with 10 rebounds against Virginia … was solid in the season opener with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and seven rebounds against Saint Francis (Pa.).

What Goes With Brie?
Junior Brionna Dickerson (Columbia, S.C./Heathwood Hall) is second on the team with 12.8 ppg and is its most accurate 3-point shooter at 42.9 percent (6-of-14) … has missed the last three games with a foot injury, which is being evaluated day-to-day to determine her return … has reached double-figure points in three of five games this season … scored 11 points and tied her season high with four rebounds against Penn State … set a career-high with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, against Virginia … opened the season with a 17-point outing against Saint Francis (Pa.), shooting 8-of-16 from the field and handing out four assists.

My Friends Call Me Coco
Redshirt freshman Lauren Falohun (Atlanta, Ga./Pace Academy) has come off the bench in three games … played a season-high nine minutes against Illinois … grabbed a pair of rebounds in her college debut against Saint Francis (Pa.).

Pastor Jones
Senior Ebony Jones (Aiken, S.C./Aiken) has played in five games, including starts in the last two games … is scoring 3.0 ppg … made her first career start at Florida International and responded with career-high numbers in points (9), field goals (3), 3-point field goals (3), assists (3), steals (2) and minutes (30) … tied her then-career high with six points on two 3-pointers against Illinois … made her season debut against Saint Francis (Pa.).

J.J. is Dy-no-mite
Freshman Jordan Jones (Suwanee, Ga./Collins Hill) has taken over the starting point guard role after the injury to Courtney Newton … is fourth on the team in scoring at 11.7 ppg and is shooting 41.3 percent from 3-point range to rank third in the SEC … is 27th in the nation with an SEC-best 2.71 3-point field goals made per game … has scored double-figure points in five of seven games and has hit at least one 3-pointer in every game … played a tick under 40 minutes against UNC Wilmington, adding 13 points to the victory … was named to the FIU Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament team … netted a career-high 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 6-of-7 free-throw accuracy at Florida International … scored 13 points and grabbed two offensive rebounds against Illinois … added 11 points to go with a season-high five rebounds against Buffalo … exploded onto the scene with 15 points, including four 3-pointers, four assists and four steals in the season-opener against Saint Francis (Pa.), an effort that garnered SEC Freshman of the Week honors.

The Kennedy Legacy
Freshman Samone Kennedy (Birmingham, Ala./Ramsay) has played significant minutes in all seven games, including one start … leads the team with 22 assists and has scored 5.6 ppg … handed out four assists against UNC Wilmington and added six points, all from the free throw line in the final two minutes of the game … hit 5-of-7 free throws, including 3-of-4 in the final two minutes, at Florida International … made her first career start against Illinois and handed out a season-high five assists … netted eight points and grabbed three rebounds in a season-high 29 minutes against Penn State … scored 13 points, handed out three assists and swiped three steals in just 20 minutes in her collegiate debut against Saint Francis (Pa.).

Jewel of the Nile
Freshman Jewel May (Conyers, Ga./Heritage) has come off the bench in four games and has grabbed 1.8 rebounds per game … pulled down three rebounds in just three minutes at Florida International … matched her season-high with two boards against Illinois … added two points and two rebounds in nine minutes of action in the season opener against Saint Francis (Pa.).

A Newton of Force
Freshman Courtney Newton (Flowery Branch, Ga./Flowery Branch) suffered a knee injury against Illinois and will be out until doctor’s re-evaluate the injury next week … has started four of five games this season and is second on the team with 15 assists … led the team with a season-high 17 points, on 6-of-11 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and handed out four assists against Buffalo … dished out four assists against Virginia … opened her college career with six assists against just one turnover and scored three points against Saint Francis (Pa.).

Set the Pace
Junior transfer C.J. Pace (Snellville, Ga./Chipola College) has scored 3.3 ppg … made her first career start against Florida International and delivered nine points on 4-of-8 shooting and swiped two steals … grabbed a pair of rebounds against Illinois … scored four points and pulled down two offensive rebounds against Buffalo … made her Gamecock debut against Saint Francis (Pa.), adding four points.

And All That Jas
Freshman Jasmine Payne (Bay Springs, Miss./Stringer) has come off the bench in five games and averages 4.6 points and 2.2 rebounds … poured in a season-high 11 points, including 5-of-6 free throws, and grabbed four rebounds in 19 minutes against UNC Wilmington … scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and swiped three steals in a season-high 16 minutes off the bench against Illinois … netted her first career points with a pair of field goals in just three minutes against Penn State … made her collegiate debut against Saint Francis (Pa.) and picked up a steal.

Tolliver Twist
Senior Lakesha Tolliver (Columbia, S.C./Dreher) is third on the team in rebounding at 5.9 rpg and in scoring at 12.3 ppg … is second in the SEC and 36th in the nation with 2.3 blocked shots per game … needs just two more blocked shots to tie the school record for career blocks … has reached double-figure points in five of even games this season … swatted away a school and Colonial Center record seven shots against UNC Wilmington … also led the team with 18 points and snagged six rebounds in a career-high 30 minutes … poured in a career-high 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting and added seven rebounds against Florida International … hit her first 3-pointer of the season as part of a 10-point, four-assist effort against Penn State … scored 13 points, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, against Buffalo … collected her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Saint Francis (Pa.).