After its first couple of games of the season, the USC women’s basketball team wasn’t quite playing up to head coach Dawn Staley’s standard on defense. Despite blitzing Notre Dame and Maryland by scoring 100 and 114 points, respectively, the top-ranked Gamecocks were allowing 74 points per game. It appears Staley’s players have gotten the message. Over their last three outings, Carolina has allowed an average of just 32 points per game, including a dominating 101-19 effort versus an overmatched Mississippi Valley State on Friday.
In front of a “Black Friday” crowd of over 14,000 fans at Colonial Life Arena, the Gamecocks placed a stranglehold on the Devilettes (1-5) holding them to 12% shooting for the game, 1-of-19 from three-point range and did not allow MVSU to score more than six points in any quarter. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks shot 55% from the floor, were a +33 in rebounding margin, and placed seven players in double figures. It’s the 45th consecutive home victory for Carolina and according to USC, matches the program’s best mark for consecutive home wins, first set between February 2013 and February 2016.
Freshman guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, who scored 18 points in USC’s rout of Clemson last Thursday, led the way for the Gamecocks with 17 points on 6-of-12 shooting to go along with four assists. Kamilla Cardoso recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Junior guard Sh’Diamond McKnight was the lone bright spot for MVSU with 8 points and 5 rebounds.
USC returns to action next Thursday as the Gamecocks will travel to UNC for the ACC/SEC Challenge. Tipoff against the Tarheels is set for 7pm.