Dec. 1, 2014

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina guard/forward A’ja Wilson earned her first SEC Freshman of the Week honor, the league office announced today. The Heathwood Hall product was the team’s top rebounder and second-highest scorer last week, helping the Gamecocks to the Junkanoo Jam Lucaya Division title.

Wilson averaged 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds over two games on Grand Bahama Island and was named tournament MVP for her effort. Playing just 21 minutes against Wisconsin, she led the team in scoring with 11 points and tied her career high with three steals. In Friday’s title game against No. 22/22 Syracuse, she posted her first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. With the Gamecocks trailing most of the game, Wilson was the lone South Carolina scorer during a 3:30 span midway through the second half, during which her eight points kept the Orange within reach. Then, in the final two minutes, Wilson blocked a shot that helped force a shot-clock violation, grabbed an offensive rebound and put it back for a four-point lead, then swiped a steal with 28 seconds left to force Syracuse to begin fouling to stay in the game.

For the season, Wilson is the only freshman to rank among the SEC’s top 20 in both scoring and rebounding. Her 12.6 points per game rank 19th in the league, and her 7.0 boards per outing are 16th among SEC players.

The Gamecocks are back in action tonight at Colonial Life Arena, opening a two-game homestand against NC Central at 7 p.m. South Carolina also hosts Charlotte on Thu., Dec. 4, at 8 p.m.

South Carolina women’s basketball season tickets are available starting at $100 for a Family Four-Pack of four general admission tickets. Single-game tickets are also on sale now and are $7 for adults and $4 for youth (17 and under). Visit www.GameocksOnline.com/tickets or call 1-800-4SC-FANS to purchase tickets.