Gamecocks counterpunch their way past Vanderbilt 84-63, Kitts drops 25 as USC advances to SEC Semifinals (AUDIO)

**MiLaysia Fulwiley supplied the speed and the spark …**

Photos by Gamecock Athletics

BON SECOURS WELLNESS ARENA, GREENVILLE: South Carolina finished off its 84-63 victory over Vanderbilt in style, advancing to the SEC Championship Semifinals on the momentum of a 16-0 run to close out the game and eliminate the Commodores, Friday.

The final score isn’t indicative of how much difficulty Vanderbilt gave no. 5 USC through long stretches. After building a big halftime cushion, the Gamecocks were outscored 25-13 in the third quarter and saw their lead dwindle to five with under four minutes remaining.

At one point, Vanderbilt had outscored USC 40-20 in a run spanning the third and fourth quarters, leaving the Gamecocks searching for answers. As is often the case, South Carolina was able to absorb the punishment and regroup down the stretch.

With the game in the balance, Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley directed her guards to work the ball in to Kitts. The strategy paid immediate dividends. Following a timeout, Chloe Kitts took over down low, scoring nine of the next twelve points to quell the threat and turn the momentum back in USC’s favor. Kitts was a clear mismatch and the junior took full advantage, posting her third straight double-double with 25 points, ten rebounds and two steals.

“We made sure we were running sets to get the hot hand the ball, which was Chloe (Kitts),” said Staley. “This is really who Chloe is. She wants the ball in her hands. She wants to be a playmaker … We called her number and she delivered for us.”

MiLaysia Fulwiley treated the crowd to a handful of highlight-worth plays, including a behind-the-back pass to Sonia Feagin (13 points, nine rebounds) in the final minutes that elicited a sustained roar from the garnet-clad fans in attendance. Fulwiley, recently named the SEC’s Sixth Woman of the Year, finished with 14 points, six rebounds and four steals.

USC is now 16-1 at the Bon Secours Arena under Staley.

Top-seeded South Carolina (28-3), looking to win its fifth conference tournament in the last six seasons, will take on the winner of Kentucky-Oklahoma in the Semifinals at 4:30 p.m., Saturday. USC defeated Oklahoma 101-60 on Jan. 19th and knocked off Kentucky 78-66 last Sunday.