USC’s shooting touch Thursday night at South Dakota State was as cold as the temperature outside, but the Gamecocks played stifling defense and got 18 points from Zia Cooke in defeating the Jackrabbits 62-44. The 62 points were also a season low for USC who got 12 points and 9 rebounds from Aliyah Boston.
The Gamecocks shot a season low 34%, but Cooke scored 11 fourth-quarter points to help the Gamecocks build on a 6-point lead. USC found its shooting eye in the fourth quarter knocking down 9 of 16 shots. South Dakota never found the range making just 15 of 55 shots for a 27% shooting night.
The Gamecocks forced 19 turnovers which they converted to 18 points, grabbed 17 offensive rebounds for 12 second chance points, and outscored South Dakota in the paint 34-24.
The Gamecocks are 10-0 and will host Charleston Southern Sunday afternoon.
