Four Gamecocks finished with double-doubles as the South Carolina women’s basketball team immediately regained the form that made them the top team in the nation to finish last season in a 119-38 victory over College of Charleston, Wednesday.
The game was never in doubt, with South Carolina racing out to a 30-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. By halftime, the nation’s no. 1 team enjoyed a 62-20 advantage. Victaria Saxton led all scorers with 19 points and tied with Aliyah Boston for the team lead in rebounds (12). In all, seven Gamecocks finished in double figures as the team shot a healthy 59% from the field. But much like last season, South Carolina made its true mark defensively, limiting Charleston to 18% shooting while forcing 18 turnovers.
Dawn Staley’s team certainly has the confidence of the pollsters, collecting 29 of 30 first-place votes in the AP Top 25 and 31 of 32 first-place votes in the Coaches Poll. The SEC media also picked the Gamecocks to finish at the top of the conference. It’s a safe bet as Staley’s club has won five of the last seven SEC regular season crowns and won all 16 of its league games last season.
The Gamecocks are next in action Saturday, facing South Dakota as part of the Bad Boys’ Mowers Crossover Classic in Sioux Falls, SD. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 tip.
