Penn State did not make Dawn Staley's USC coaching debut a memorable one as they turned back the Gamecocks 56-42 Sunday in State College, Penn. South Carolina (0-1) played well early, but wound up in a 10-point hole as they headed for the locker room at halftime. Second-half turnovers and poor shooting by the Gamecocks helped the Nittany Lions (1-0) extend their lead and secure their first victory of the season.
After South Carolina had pulled within six points, a slew of turnovers allowed the Lions to go on a 9-0 run with less than 12 minutes to go. USC fought back to make it an 11-point game, but Penn State went on another 9-0 run to put the Gamecocks away for good.
"Coming into the season, I knew we would struggle to score," Staley said. "We have to find scoring somewhere else because I knew they would neutralize Demetress [Adams]' contributions to our team. We have to find people to help with that load, but we also have to find ways to get Demetress the ball in positions where she can score and not have to create on her own all the time."
All was not bad for South Carolina as three seniors scored in double figures. Brionna Dickerson put up 10 points, C.J. Pace netted 11 and Adams played the entire 40 minutes as she scored a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Adams scored the Gamecocks' first three points to put South Carolina up 3-0 early, but that would be one of the Gamecocks' only leads.
Down 13-6, freshman Sada Wheeler hit a short jumper and Pace drained a three-pointer from the right side to pull within two. USC then went cold from the field as Penn State hit a few of their shots scoring eight unanswered points to pull away. Pace hit another three-pointer before the buzzer to conclude a half where South Carolina only shot 5-28 from the field.
An inspired USC team came out of the locker room converting two steals into four points by Jewel May and Adams. Penn State's Mashea Williams tried to stop the run with a jumper, but May answered right back with a lay-up to pull within six. The Nittany Lions then went on the first of their two 9-0 runs.
Penn State's Tyra Grant led all scorers with 17 points and an 8-for-10 performance from the foul line. Brianne O'Rourke and Williams each had five assists. As a team, the Nittany Lions were a combined 21-for-50 from the field as South Carolina only made 14 of their 55 tries. USC freshman Wheeler grabbed six rebounds in only 14 minutes of play; Pace also had six rebounds.
Staley will try for her first win at USC this Wednesday night as South Carolina hosts Clemson at 7 p.m. at the Colonial Life Arena.
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