The top-ranked South Carolina women’s basketball team saw its 29-game winning streak come to an end at the hands of eighth-ranked NC State, Thursday. NC State limited the Gamecocks to 27% shooting from the floor and 2 of 12 from behind the 3-point line in its 54-46 victory. The Wolfpack didn’t fare much better with regard to offensive flow, but there was a stark difference from the free throw line. NC State hit 10 of 12 foul shots, including several down the stretch to close it out, while USC made just 4 of its 11 shots from the line. Head coach Dawn Staley referred to her team’s lack of execution as “pickup basketball.”
The Gamecocks (3-1) set a program record by putting up 82 points per game last season and was off to a hot start this season (93 ppg) before running into Wes Moore’s club. USC had also been dominant in the lane through its first three games but NC State was able to flip the script, outscoring the Gamecocks 30-28 in the paint.
Laeticia Amihere grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds and tied with Zia Cooke for the team lead with 11 points. But neither Amihere or Cooke were efficient, combining for 9 of 34 shooting and hitting just one three-pointer between them.
It was the first setback for the Gamecocks since falling to Indiana as part of the Paradise Jam on Nov. 28th, 2019. Staley and the Gamecocks will look to start a new streak when they pay a visit to Iowa State at noon, Sunday.
