Gamecocks Power Past Wolfpack for Top-10 Win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Te-Hina Paopao scored 23 points, MiLaysia Fulwiley chipped in with 18 points off the bench and No. 1 South Carolina passed its first big test of the season with a 71-57 victory over ninth-ranked North Carolina State on Sunday in the Ally Tipoff at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center.

Together Paopao and Fulwiley were 18 of 30 from the field as the Gamecocks (2-0) shot 50%.

Zamareya Jones had 16 points and Aziaha James added 13 points to lead NC State (1-1).

The Gamecocks used a 14-5 spurt at the end of the second quarter led by Fulwiley to build a 39-30 lead at halftime.

Paopao’s 3-pointer and baseline floater to open the third quarter pushed the Gamecocks lead to 12 and they never never seriously threatened again. Bree Hall’s driving layup put South Carolina up by 20 with 2:42 left in the third quarter.

The Wolfpack would cut the lead to seven with 4:32 left in the game, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts did not play because of an “academic policy issue.” She is expected back for the next game according to coach Dawn Staley.

Gamecock Notables

• The win marked South Carolina’s 40th straight overall, 12th consecutive against a ranked opponent and 74th straight in regular-season action.
• The Gamecocks looked more like themselves today, dominating the glass 40-25, including turning 11 offensive boards into 12 second-chance points.
• The balanced offense included five Gamecocks scoring at least five points.
• Te-Hina Paopao turned in her Gamecock career high 23 points, highlighted by seven in the fourth quarter, hitting 3-of-4 from the field to hold off the Wolfpack.
• Sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley sparked the offense with 18 points, including nine in the pivotal second quarter on 4-of-5 shooting to send the Gamecocks into the locker room up by nine.
• Junior guard Raven Johnson led the rebounding effort with nine, while senior Sania Feagin added eight.