FINAL: South Carolina Defeats Tennessee 76-68 To Clinch Undefeated Regular Season
Emotions a little high on senior day but still all business for South Carolina defeating Tennessee in a tight one 76-68
Emotional especially for senior center, Kamilla Cardoso who had her mom and sister flown into to South Carolina to see her after being denied to enter the America from Brazil prior. Her family in attendance for Sunday afternoon's game marked the first time seeing her play in person in America since the age of 15.
Tonight Starting Lineup
- Bre Hall
- Milaysia Fulwiley
- Te-Hina Paopao (Senior)
- Sania Feagin
- Kamilla Cardoso (Senior)
Facing one the few teams that can match South Carolina's length, the Volunteers matched the home teams production in the paint 14 points a pop in the early going.Galvanized behind star senior, Rickea Jackson who scored 13 first half points on 42 percent shooting, Tennessee started the second quarter on an 11-3 run, taking the lead away from the Gamecocks but the Gamecocks regained momentum ending the half up 8, 40-32.
A copy and paste stat line for the Coach Dawn Staley's team in the first half, Te-hina Paopao's shooting her on cue 2-4 from three, followed Bre Hall all-around point guard play, and Cardoso's dominant interior presence.
It remained a close contest in the second half, Tennessee's Jackson cranked it up a little more scoring an additional 16 points in the second half. She finished with 8 rebounds. However, down the stretch, South Carolina's depth began to ware down the Vols.
Malaysia Fulwiley came up big down the stretch on the defensive end first, finishing the game with three steals. Offensively she used her quickness to infiltrate into the interior Tennessee defense for some clutch close out baskets. She finished the game with a team third best 13 points and 3 assist.
Execution was the separating factor for South Carolina as they finished undefeated for the second consecutive year.
Up Next For South Carolina
South Carolina will likely take some time off and rest before the madness starts Wednesday when the SEC tourney starts.
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