Women's Basketball . December 21, 2017

Wilson Helps No. 4 South Carolina Rout Temple 87-60

Game #1

Dec. 21, 2017

#4/5 South Carolina 87, Temple 60

PHILADELPHIA (AP) A’ja Wilson had 28 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks to help No. 4 South Carolina rout Temple 87-60 on Thursday night in a homecoming for Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley.

Staley grew up in Philadelphia, a mile from Temple where she coached from 2000-08. On Wednesday, the city celebrated her, renaming a few blocks Dawn Staley Lane as a day in her honor was celebrated at the Hank Gathers Recreation Center.

She gave the center, where the Hall of Famer honed her game growing up, a replica NCAA championship trophy similar to the one her team won in April.

The game against Temple was Staley’s first against the school since she left for South Carolina following the 2008 season. The win moved her into first place on the school’s career list with 232 victories, one more than Nancy Wilson.

The Gamecocks (11-1) raced out to a 26-9 lead behind Wilson. She outscored the Owls 10-9 in the quarter. South Carolina led 46-20 at the half and cruised to the easy win.

Tyasha Harris had 13 points and 11 assists for South Carolina.

Mia Davis had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Temple (8-4). Tanaya Atkinson added 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

NOTABLE

Thursday marked the third time this season five Gamecocks reached double figures in a game.
Carolina matched its season high for 3-pointers (8) in the win over the Owls.
Gamecock senior forward A’ja Wilson set new program records for free throws made (484) and free throws attempted (684) after finishing the contest 7-of-12 from the line.
Carolina sophomore Tyasha Harris notched 13 points and 11 assists en route to her second-straight double-double. The performance gave the guard consecutive double-doubles for the first time in her career.

GAMECHANGER

Carolina built a commanding 26-9 lead through 10 minutes of action after outscoring the Owls 12-3 over the final 5:14 of the first quarter. Temple shot just 1-of-9 from the floor during the stretch.

KEY STAT

Carolina’s size down low kept the Temple offense in check for most of the game, and the Gamecocks finished the contest with a 13-0 advantage in blocks. A’ja Wilson‘s eight blocks matched a career high.

UP NEXT

The Gamecocks open SEC play on Sun., Dec. 31, when they play host to No. 19/20 Texas A&M at Colonial Life Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. ET, and the game will air on SEC Network.