A second road game in the SEC and a second real test passed by the top ranked USC women’s basketball team. Their first road game at Georgia saw them come from behind in the second half for a 17-point win. Sunday at Mississippi State, the Gamecocks were pressed even more but managed to leave Starkville with a 58-51 win.
The Gamecocks trailed early by 8 points, but a 20-7 second quarter put them back on top at the half 32-26. They won the third quarter by a point and were played even in the fourth quarter.
The Gamecocks won despite a 30% shooting performance, including 4-28 from deep, and missing 10 free throws. Per usual, they made up for the shooting woes with defense and rebounding.
USC held the Bulldogs to 38% shooting, tightening things up after State made 8-16 in the first quarter. They forced 16 turnovers they turned into 19 points. And they had 22 offensive rebounds they converted into 20 points.
Zia Cooke led the Gamecocks in scoring with 16 points. Aliyah Boston had 12 points and 15 rebounds. That’s the 9th double-double of the season for Boston who set the school career SEC rebounding record in the game.
The Gamecocks are 16-0 and 4-0 in the SEC and will play at Kentucky Thursday night.
