No. 1/3 Gamecocks Open Home Stand Thursday
#1/3 SOUTH CAROLINA (15-2, 10-0 SEC) vs. MISSOURI (7-7, 3-6 SEC)
7 P.M. | COLUMBIA, S.C. | COLONIAL LIFE ARENA (3,500)
GAME DAY INFO | South Carolina Game Notes | WATCH: SEC Network | LISTEN: 1320 AM/107.5 (in progress) | Live Stats | Media Availability
ABOUT THIS GAME
- Tonight’s game is the third in which the Gamecocks have played Missouri as No. 1 in the AP Poll, including last season’s matchup.
- South Carolina is 7-3 all-time against Missouri, including a 6-3 mark in the Staley era, after winning the last three meetings.
- South Carolina is looking for its 27th straight SEC regular-season victory tonight, which would move the Gamecocks into sole possession of the fifth-longest in league history. Tennessee holds the SEC record of 42 consecutive regular-season wins, which it did twice (Jan. 26, 1992 – Jan. 1, 1996; Feb. 7, 2002 – Feb. 6, 2005).
- A win tonight would be the Gamecocks’ 30th straight over an SEC opponent, including three in the 2020 SEC Tournament, marking the longest such streak in program history and the third-longest in league history. The longest streak in SEC history is 36 games by Tennessee (2010-2012). Of the Gamecocks’ current 29 consecutive wins, 13 have came against a ranked foe.
GAMECOCK NOTABLES
- South Carolina’s defense continues to shut down opponents this season. In the last five games, the Gamecocks have allowed just 60.2 points per game, and no opponent has scored more than 65 points. On the season, South Carolina has allowed an opponent more than 65 points just four times.
- The Gamecocks’ rebounding numbers are among the best in the nation across all categories. The team’s 50.4 rebounds per game are second in the country, and its +17.4 rebounding margin is third. With 17.7 offensive rebounds per game, South Carolina is fourth in the country. Those offensive boards have led to 17.6 second-chance points per game. While starting forwards Aliyah Boston (11.5 rpg) and Victaria Saxton (6.4 rpg) lead the way, a pair of Gamecock guards also figure prominently in the effort as Destanni Henderson and Brea Beal average 5.4 and 5.1 rebounds, respectively.
- Unanimous AP Preseason All-American Aliyah Boston has been dominant since the start of SEC play, and her game rises even higher on the biggest stages. She is the team’s top scorer (14.6 ppg) and rebounder (11.9 rpg) against ranked opponents, and also averages a double-double in SEC play and overall for the season. Her five double-doubles in SEC play this season are tied for the fifth-most in program history with up to six league games remaining. With 21 career double-doubles already, she is just four shy of the program’s all-time top 10.
- Junior Destanni Henderson has been making her case for one of the top point guards in the country night in and night out. Her 5.8 assists per game are 16th in the nation and include 6.5 assists per SEC game. On top of that, she is third on the team in scoring at 11.6 points per game and has three 20-point outings among her 11 double-digit scoring games.
- Sophomore guard Brea Beal continues to do everything the team needs her to without the spotlight that such work deserves. She has nine games of five or more rebounds, including a pair of double-digit rebounding games, and has scored in double figures five times as she works more offensive confidence into her defensive reputation.
BY THE NUMBERS
2 Two Gamecocks have been on every national player of the year watch list throughout the season – Aliyah Boston and Zia Cooke.
12 Forward Aliyah Boston has pulled down double-digit rebounds in 12 of 17 games this season.
17.6 The Gamecocks’ offensive rebounding dominance has led to 17.6 second-chance points per game this season.
23.8 South Carolina is averaging 23.8 points on 51.8 percent shooting in the third quarter, their best scoring and most efficient quarter.
56.9 The Gamecocks have scored 56.9 percent of their points this season in the paint (46.1 ppg).