Dec. 4, 2007
COLUMBIA – Senior Ilona Burgrova and freshman Jordan Jones paired up in career nights for both to lead South Carolina past Charleston Southern 72-26 tonight at the Colonial Center. The Gamecocks (6-2) used aggressive, trapping defense to limit the Lady Bucs (3-5) to just 16.7 percent shooting and 26 points, tying the school record for fewest points by a Carolina opponent. On the other end, Burgrova matched her career high with 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Jones poured in a game-high 19 points, including four 3-pointers. Senior Lakesha Tolliver swatted away five shots to become South Carolina’s career leader in blocked shots, and junior Demetress Adams posted her second double-double in as many games with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
“On top teams, defense creates a lot of offense, and we were able to do that tonight,” Walvius said. “We’ve done it in a few games this season, and this was one where our defense set the tone for the rest of the game.”
Shots would not fall for either team early as it took more than two minutes for either team to crack the scoreboard. Once the Gamecocks got going, however, they did not look back. Jones opened a 9-0 run with a lay-up off a steal and capped it with a 3-pointer. The Lady Bucs finally got on the board on Cindee Wright’s jumper at the 14:43 mark. South Carolina went on a 10-2 run to open a 15-point lead with 9:13 on the clock. Tolliver’s block of Crystal Robinson at 2:30 was the 149th of her career, putting her in sole possession of the school record. Jones capped the half with a deep 3-pointer with the shot clock winding down, giving the Gamecocks a 35-12 advantage.
South Carolina’s lead ballooned to 36 with a 13-0 run that kicked off the second half. The Gamecocks’ interior did much of the damage with Adams and Burgrova combining for 10 of those points.
“I have to thank the guards for my points today,” Burgrova said. “I’m glad to get some points, but I have to thank them. They were able to get me the ball. In past games, I have been unable to finish. This game I was able to have a breakthrough.”
Tolliver matched Adams’ 11 rebounds for game-high honors, while freshman Samone Kennedy handed out a season-high six assists. Adams added two assists and four steals to the effort.
The Gamecocks held CSU leading scorer Pam Tolbert to just six points, 11 below her season average. She did lead the Lady Bucs on the boards with nine rebounds. Natalie Caldwell was CSU’s top scorer with 10 points. South Carolina wraps up a three-game homestand on Fri., Dec. 7, against Jackson State. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
