Hopefully for her sake, Clemson women’s basketball coach Amanda Butler wasn’t using Thursday night’s game in Columbia against #1 ranked South Carolina as a measuring stick for where her program stands next to the in-state rival. If she was, then she went home greatly disappointed. Her girls were never in the game in a 109-40 blowout at the Colonial Life Arena that was basically over after the first quarter.
The 69-point margin of victory is the third largest in the Dawn Staley era at USC as the Gamecock won their 13th in a row over the Tigers. The win is also #200 for Staley at the Colonial Life Arena. And it’s the largest margin of victory ever for the Gamecocks over Clemson.
The Gamecocks led 31-6 after the first ten minutes, and the only question was how large would the final margin be. The Gamecocks led 62-15 at the hafl after shooting 62% in the second quarter. The lead continue to grow in the third quarter with USC outscoring Clemson 24-16, and the Gamecocks capped the rout winning the fourth quarter 23-9.
Obviously, USC just didn’t win in ever category, they obliterated the Tigers. Shooting, 53% to 22%; three-pointers, 10 to 3; points off turnovers 28-6; rebounding 73-27; second chance points 20-4; bench points 54-13; points in the paint 64-20; blocks 9-1; and fast break points 29-3.
Most impressive for the Gamecocks were the 30 assists on the 44 made baskets, 17 of them by Raven Johnson, one off the single game program record.
Milaysia Fulwiley led six Gamecocks in double figures with 18 points before fouling out. She also had nine rebounds and three assists. Kamilla Cardoso had her second double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
The Gamecocks are 3-0 and have eclipsed the 100 point mark in all three games. They will host South Dakota State November 20th.
With the win, USC scored a point in the Palmetto Series and has a 2.5 to 1.5 lead over the Tigers with the next point up for grabs November 25th in the football game in Columbia.
Final Stats
Dawn Staley postgame press conference
Why no PC for Amanda Butler ? Can’t find on of Brenda Frese either.
Coach Butler did not come into the media room, and we weren’t at the Maryland game.
Coach Staley must have googled “Ben Tillman” before tipoff….lol