Maryland hung in with sixth ranked USC for a quarter, but the 14th ranked Terps had nothing for the Gamecocks over the final 30 minutes Sunday as Dawn Staley’s team ran away to a 114-76 victory to move to 2-0 on the season after wins over a pair of top 15 teams.
The teams played to a 16-16 tie in the first quarter, and it was 39-36 Gamecocks with 1:08 left in the half. From there, USC outscored Maryland 9-0 to take a 48-36 lead into the break and used a 13-3 run in the third quarter to put the game away. Maryland could get no closer than 15 points the rest of the way.
Seven Gamecocks scored in double-figures with Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts both recording double-doubles, 13 points, 11 rebounds for Atkins and 10 rebounds for Kitts. Te-Hina Paopao actually led USC in scoring with 14 points and eight assists
The Gamecocks had 55 points off their bench, 56 points in the paint and 26 fastbreak points. They also totaled 30 assists on their 43 field goals.
The Gamecocks next face Clemson Thursday night in Columbia.
