BIRMINGHAM: South Carolina was not able to deliver a typical knockout punch to Maryland in Friday night’s NCAA Women’s Sweet 16 game at Legacy Arena, but the Gamecocks got in the last punch in pulling out a 71-67 win to advance to the Elite Eight for an eighth time under Dawn Staley.
The Terps, using their physicality and ability to drive to the basket, would not allow the Gamecocks to put together a game-turning run. USC’s longest was 7-0 in the second half, and their largest lead in the game was only six points.
The Terps actually built a 7-0 lead early in the third quarter at 41-34. The Gamecocks closed the quarter outscoring the Terps 18-9. Bree Hall hit a three to start the surge. MiLaysia Fulwiley scored five points and Joyce Edwards four in the rally, and the Gamecocks led 52-50 going to the fourth quarter.
The spread remained one possession for most of the fourth quarter. Maryland took its final lead at 60-59 with 3:25 to play. Fulwiley, who had been on the bench for four minutes, immediately impacted the game when she subbed back in. She scored on a layup with 2:22 left to put USC back on top for good 61-60. After Chloe Kitts made one of two at the line, Fulwiley made another highlight drive for a layup and the lead was 64-60 with 1:17 left.
That was the Gamecocks’ last bucket of the game. They went seven of eight from the line from there to keep the Terps at bay. On the other side, Maryland suffered consecutive turnovers as the lead went to 66-60. The Terps hit a three with :25 left, but then after a Bree Hall free throw made it 67-63, the Terps lost the ball again, and then fouled Sania Feagin. She made both from the line for a 69-63 lead with :18 to play.
A Maryland layup was offset by two Fulwiley free throws, and a final layup by Maryland accounted for the final four point spread.
Fulwiley led USC with 23 points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench. Kitts was the only other Gamecock scorer in double-figures with 15, ten of those coming in the first quarter.
It was an uneven offensive performance, at best by USC. The Gamecocks shot 38% for the game, including 4-15 from three. They suffered 18 turnovers the Terps turned into 18 points. After an early disadvantage from the foul line, the Gamecocks finished 17-21 to 13-18 for the Terps. USC was whistled for 11 first half fouls and seven in the second half, while Maryland drew five first half fouls and 14 in the second half.
The Gamecocks, the top-seed in the Birmingham 1 Region, are 33-3 and will face Duke Sunday afternoon for a berth in the Final Four in Tampa. Tentative tip time is 3:00 PM but official game time has not been announced. The Blue Devils defeated North Carolina 47-38 in the day’s first game. USC beat Duke in Columbia December 5th in the SEC/ACC Challenge.
Final Stats
Dawn Staley postgame
MiLaysia Fulwiley and Chloe Kitts postgame
