TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Joyce Edwards scored 21 points to lead No. 2 South Carolina past No. 19 Alabama 76-58 on Thursday night.
Chloe Kitts had 10 points and 13 rebounds, MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 16 points and Te-Hina Paopao added 11 for the Gamecocks (17-1, 5-0 SEC), who have six straight wins over ranked opponents.
Zaay Green and Essence Cody each scored 15 points and Aaliyah Nye had 12 for Alabama (16-3, 3-2).
Alabama: Played without Sarah Ashlee Barker, the Crimson Tide’s second-leading scorer who has been sidelined since Jan. 2 with a lower leg injury.
South Carolina: Despite shooting just 3 for 20 from 3-point range, the Gamecocks dominated in the paint with 38 points, including 19 second-chance points.
In the first four minutes, South Carolina went on a 12-0 run to set the tone, while Alabama was 0 for 8 during that stretch. Alabama then failed to come closer than four points.
Notables:
- With the win over Alabama, Dawn Staley has remained perfect against the Tide in her career at 23-0.
- The Gamecocks were excellent at the charity stripe, going 19-for-21 for the highest free throw percentage in a game this season (.905).
- Freshman Joyce Edwards went perfect at the free throw line (7-for-7) en route to a new career-high 21 points against the Tide, knocking down 11 in the final quarter to help extend the Gamecocks’ lead to 16 .
- MiLaysia Fulwiley had a strong fourth quarter, scoring five of her 16 points in the final two minutes of the game as part of a 12-2 run by the Gamecocks to seal the win.
- Te-Hina Paopao tallied her 12th game of the season in double-figures, scoring 11 points in addition to handing out a team-high five assists for the fourth time this year.
- Chloe Kitts made her mark in the first half, scoring eight of her 10 points and dominating on the glass with seven of her 13 boards for her fifth double-double of the season.
- Sania Feagin continued to be a threat on both sides of the ball, tallying a near double-double with eight points and eight rebounds while adding a block and team-high two steals.
