March 2, 2008
LEXINGTON, Ky. – South Carolina senior Lakesha Tolliver recorded a double-double, but it was freshman Jordan Jones’ seven-point run late in the second half that sealed a 65-57 win over Kentucky this afternoon at Rupp Arena. Tolliver matched her career high with 21 points and snagged a career-best 12 rebounds as the Gamecocks improved to 15-14 overall and 4-10 in the SEC. Kentucky (14-14, 8-6) fell behind early with 13.6 percent shooting in the first half before rallying to pull within three with three minutes left in the contest.
In a first half dominated by good Gamecock defense, Kentucky hit just 13.6 percent from the field (3-of-22) but kept pace early thanks to a wealth of Gamecock fouls, which led to 20 free throws in the half. South Carolina on the other hand, hit 13 field goals, including three from 3-point range. Still the South Carolina interior was in foul trouble as Ilona Burgrova had three, Demetress Adams collected two, and freshman Jewel May actually fouled out before halftime.
The Gamecocks led 9-0 just two minutes into the contest before Kentucky hit a pair of free throws to get on the board at the 15:47 mark. Eleia Roddy hit UK’s first field goal at the 13:27 mark. Appropriately, it was followed by a free throw that narrowed the deficit to 11-5. As South Carolina continued to work from the field, the Wildcats relied on the charity stripe. After Catina Bett hit one of two from the line, South Carolina’s lead was down to 15-10.
From there, the Gamecocks rattled off a 10-2 surge to open a 13-point margin with 5:57 left in the period. Brionna Dickerson opened the spurt with a put back, and Jones hit back-to-back 3-pointers. Senior Lakesha Tolliver capped the run with an offensive rebound and bucket. Amani Franklin ended UK’s eight-minute stretch without a field goal with a jumper from the left elbow then hit the final bucket of the half with a 3-pointer from the left baseline. Still, the Gamecocks took a 31-19 lead into the break.
In the second half, the Wildcats turned the tables, holding the Gamecocks scoreless for 5:30 in the middle of the period. South Carolina held a 46-34 advantage at the 10:46 mark but did not get another point on the board until Ashlie Billingslea hit a pair of free throws at 5:19. In the meantime, the Wildcats had put up 10 points, largely with dribble penetration, to cut their deficit to 44-48.
When the Wildcats closed within 52-49, Jones put the Gamecocks on her back with a personal 7-0 run. She sank a pair of free throws, drilled a 3-pointer from the right baseline, and finishing a layup following a steal at midcourt to put the Gamecocks up by 10 with 1:29 left in the game.
Jones was second on the team with 13 points, including three 3-pointers, while Dickerson added 12 points.
South Carolina heads to the SEC Tournament at the 10th seed and will face the seventh seed, yet to be determined, on Thu., Mar. 6, in Nashville, Tenn.
