Fulwiley scores 24 points in 82-54 win over Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 24 points as sixth-ranked South Carolina beat the Vanderbilt women 82-54 Sunday for the Gamecocks’ second straight win.

South Carolina (25-3, 13-1 Southeastern Conference) improved to 23-21 all-time, winning its 17th straight in this series dating back to Vanderbilt’s last win Jan. 27, 2011, in Columbia, South Carolina.

Joyce Edwards added 17 points and 12 rebounds for the Gamecocks. Te-Hina Paopao had 13.

Vanderbilt (19-9, 6-8) lost its second straight since Mikayla Blakes set the NCAA freshman single-game scoring record with 55 points at Auburn. Blakes scored 19 on Sunday, and Khamil Pierre had 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Paopao scored the first seven points as the Gamecocks never trailed. She and Fulwiley each had nine helping South Carolina lead 24-11 after the first quarter. Vanderbilt outscored South Carolina 14-11 to trim the Gamecocks’ halftime lead to 35-25.

South Carolina outscored Vandy 21-12 and led 56-37 after the third.

• The Gamecocks’ depth was on full display, with 11 of the 12 players who hit the floor scoring at least a bucket.

• South Carolina’s bench continued to dominate, scoring 56 points to Vanderbilt’s game total of 54 to outscore their opponent for the ninth time this season and second consecutive game.

• The Gamecocks were strong in the paint, outscoring the Commodores 48-16.

• South Carolina beat Vanderbilt at its own game, forcing the Commodores into 17 turnovers to the Gamecocks’ 13, and outscoring them in fast break points 19-0.

• MiLaysia Fulwiley tied her career-high of 24 points, scoring 15 in the first half on 6-of-9 shooting in just 13 minutes of play. Her 24 points mark the second-most for a Gamecock this season.

• Joyce Edwards secured her third double-double of the season, grabbing eight of her career-high 10 offensive boards in the first half and 11 of her 17 points in the third quarter after going a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor and 5-for-5 at the free throw line.

• Te-Hina Paopao finished with 13 points after scoring seven in a row to open up the game, in addition to handing out a team-high four assists and an SEC career-high tying three steals.