Gamecocks Set for Paradise Jam Games

#5/6 SOUTH CAROLINA (6-0) VS. #17/23 INDIANA (4-0) – NOV. 28, 8 PM ET
#5/6 SOUTH CAROLINA (6-0) VS. WASHINGTON STATE (4-0) – NOV. 29, 8 PM ET
#5/6 SOUTH CAROLINA (6-0) VS. #2/2 BAYLOR (5-0) – NOV. 30, 8 PM ET
PARADISE JAM | ST. THOMAS, U.S.V.I.  | UVI Sports & Fitness Center

GAME NOTES | WATCH: FLOHOOPS.COM | LISTEN: 107.5 THE GAME | LIVE STATS
 

ABOUT THIS WEEKEND’S GAMES

• This is the Gamecocks’ fourth time in the Paradise Jam (2002, 2009, 2012) and the third visit under head coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks won the Reef Division of the tournament in 2012.
• The Gamecocks are 3-1 all-time against Indiana, although the teams have not faced each other since the 2000-01 season.
• South Carolina has never played Washington State in women’s basketball.
• The Gamecocks are 0-2 against Baylor with both games coming last season.

GAMECOCK NOTABLES

• The Gamecocks have been locked in defensively all season long, fueled by an unending competitive streak that extends to every practice session. South Carolina is sixth in the nation in scoring defense (46.0 ppg) and second in field goal percentage defense (.239). The Gamecocks have not allowed more than 54 points in a game this season and only one opponent has shot better than 30.0 percent from the field.
• South Carolina continues its trend of dominating the paint as 69.0 percent of the Gamecocks’ made field goals have come in the lane this season, accounting for 45.3 points per game. The frontline accounts for just over half of that total (25.0 ppg).
• Even with a team full of offensive weapons, the Gamecock offense has been driven by the extra pass this season. South Carolina has assisted on 61.4 percent of its made field goals this season and ranks 15th in the nation with 20.2 assists per game. Four Gamecocks average at least 2.0 assists per game, led by Tyasha Harris’ 4.8 average, which ranks third in the SEC.
• The Gamecocks’ scoring is nearly as balanced as its roster in terms of veterans vs. newcomers.  Two seniors and two freshmen make up the team’s top four scorers, all averaging double figures. The six returning letterwinners average 49.3 points per game compared to the 46.6 average of the five freshmen.
• Senior Mikiah Herbert Harrigan caught fire in Week 2 of the season and has not slowed down since. Her high energy and passionate play over the last four games have yielded 14.3 points per game on 58.5 percent shooting, 6.0 rebounds per contest and 3.0 blocked shots per outing.
• Freshman Aliyah Boston has been the SEC Freshman of the Week twice in the season’s opening three weeks. After picking up her first selection after her season-opening triple-double and a strong outing at then-#4/5 Maryland, Boston doubled up by winning the award this week behind 15.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game and 81.3 percent field goal shooting.
• Sophomore Destanni Henderson has catapulted up the SEC standings in 3-pointers made per game, coming in at 1.8 for the season, as she is now shooting 55.0 from beyond the arc. The surge began with a pair against Appalachian State and continued with five against USC Upstate. She has shot 9-of-15 (.600) from beyond the arc over the last three games, helping her to 13.7 points per game over the stretch. The burst of scoring has actually enhanced her assist numbers as well, averaging 4.0 over the same period.