Behind Te-Hina Paopao and MiLaysia Fulwiley, #1 South Carolina blew open a close game in the third quarter and held on for a 71-57 win over #9 NC State.
For about 15 minutes on Sunday, the Gamecocks looked like the same team that had to gut out a nailbiter in the season opener in Las Vegas. They were barely shooting over 30% from the floor and the offense was disorganized.
NC State turnovers kept the game close in the first quarter, but when the Wolfpack eliminated the turnovers it went on an 11-0 second-quarter run.
That was the wake-up call South Carolina needed. Trailing 25-21 midway through the second quarter, Fulwiley scored twice in a 6-0 run that put South Carolina ahead for good. South Carolina finished the half on an 18-5 run and went on an overall 35-11 run to take a 56-36 lead late in the third quarter.
“We knew it was going to be a battle right from the get-go,” Paopao said. “It was a close game and we knew our transition offense was going to get there. We got those buckets and we were settling in, and once we settled in it was game over.”
NC State battled back behind Aziaha James and Zamareya Jones and cut the lead to seven midway through the fourth quarter. But South Carolina got back-to-back baskets from Te-Hina Paopao and Raven Johnson to push the lead back to double digits.
Fulwiley scored 15 of her 18 points in the second and third quarters. She shot 8-14 and had as many points as minutes played.
Paopao finished with a Gamecock-career-high 23 points, and she did most of her damage by getting to the rim. When NC State cut the lead to seven in the fourth quarter, she hit a midrange jumper to stem the tide. She added a floater in the lane with 58 seconds left, and then hit a three from the corner for the final margin.
“We’re a team full of hoopers and everyone has their night and me and Lay had our night tonight,” Paopao said. “I appreciate my teammates looking for me and finding me.”
For the game, Paopao shot 10-16 and 3-7 from three, with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
South Carolina shot 50% from the floor but just 4-14 from three. NC State was 6-15 from three but shot just 42% overall and turned the ball over 21 times.
“I thought we won the game over a 40-minute period,” Dawn Staley said. “I thought our defense, our help defense, our ability to scramble out of situations, to recover, we didn’t put a whole lot of points on the scoreboard but I was really pleased with our defensive effort and our ability to smother them at times.”
Ashlyn Watkins returned from suspension and was greeted with a standing ovation when she checked into the game in the first quarter. She finished with six points, six rebounds, two steals, and a block in 19 minutes.
Watkins’ return helped the Gamecocks dominate the glass. South Carolina outrebounded NC State 40-25 and gave up just three offensive rebounds. That led to 12 second-chance points.
“They are who we thought they were. They beat us really bad on the boards. We got outrebounded us by 15,” Wes Moore said. “You can’t beat the #1 team in the country and not compete in those areas.”
Notes:
Just before tipoff South Carolina announced that Chloe Kitts, who was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder against Michigan, was suspended due to an academic issue. Freshman Joyce Edwards started in her place. After the game, Staley said it is a one-game suspension. … Tessa Johnson did not play in the second half after tweaking her ankle. She was scoreless in nine minutes. … Adhel Tac did not play. She spent most of the game riding the stationary bike next to the bench. … Players from all four teams received a gift suite from Belk that included a piece of Samsonite luggage, a t-shirt designed by a local artist, a water bottle, diamond earrings, a hat, perfume, and more. … South Carolina wore its Cocky alternate uniforms. … Dawn Staley’s outfit: Staley wore black pants and a gray Chanel sweater covered with phrases printed in black. … The assistant coaches wore black pants and white tops. … South Carolina’s next game is its home opener against Coppin State on Thursday.
