USC 93-Tennessee 50 Game Summary
COLONIAL LIFE ARENA
- You wouldn’t know by the final score, but this was a close game over the first 17 minutes. The game was tied 16-16 late in the first quarter when Joyce Edwards made a layup that put the Gamecocks up for good.
- USC went on to lead at the end of the first quarter 25-17. It was still an eight point lead at 37-29 with 3:38 left in the half when the Gamecocks do what they do, and that is go on a run that takes the life out of the opponent.
- USC finished the first half with a 10-3 run for a 47-32 lead, then stepped on the gas in the third quarter outscoring the Vols 24-9. The Gamecocks shot 79% (11-14) in the quarter while holding the Vols to 19% shooting (3-16). They led 71-41 going to the fourth.
- The Gamecocks added a 22-9 fourth quarter margin to the spread shooting nearly 62% from the floor while again holding Tennessee to 3-16 from the floor. The Vols were 6-32 shooting in the second half while the Gamecocks were 19-27.
- The loss by Tennessee is the worst in program history eclipsing 31-point defeat at the hands of Texas in 1984.
- USC shot 69% for the game (36-52) which is a program record for an SEC game. Tennessee finished at 28%. The Gamecocks won the paint 54-16.
- Ta’Niyah Latson, playing in her first game since January 29th, and wearing a knee brace, led the Gamecocks with 21 points. Joyce Edwards added 20 points and eight rebounds. Madina Okot had her 15th double-double of the season with 10 points and 15 rebounds.
- With the win, the Gamecocks take over sole possession of first place in the SEC. They are 24-2 overall and 10-1 in the SEC. The win was their 53rd straight SEC home win, and #499 for Dawn Staley at USC. She will go for #500 Saturday night at LSU.