Nov. 18, 2013

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina center Alaina Coates (Irmo, S.C./Dutch Fork) earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors, the league office announced today. She averaged a double-double over two games last week, helping the Gamecocks to 20-point victories over College of Charleston and Seton Hall. It is the first honor of her career.

Coates opened the week with her second-straight double-double, posting 11 points and 14 rebounds against College of Charleston, needing just 13 minutes on the court to achieve it. She snagged 10 of her 14 boards in the second half, helping the Gamecocks more than double their halftime lead by the end of the game. The 14-rebound outing is tied for third in school history among freshmen, one shy of the record shared by two former Gamecocks. On Sunday, Coates added 10 points and eight rebounds to the win over Seton Hall. More impressive were her four blocks, including one swatted away without leaving her feet. That effort ranks her fourth all-time among Gamecock freshmen.

South Carolina faces its first road games of the season this week, beginning Wed., Nov. 20, at Clemson. The Gamecocks then head to the West Coast to take on San Diego State on Sat., Nov. 23, and Southern Cal on Mon., Nov. 25.