The Daily Gamecock

Third quarter run, defense push Gamecocks over No. 9 UCLA

In the first quarter against UCLA, the South Carolina women's basketball team didn't look like its usual self. The Gamecocks fell behind from the jump, as both teams failed to establish an offensive rhythm early. The home team shot 13.3 percent in the opening quarter, trailing by five after 10 minutes. 

They evened the score in the second quarter despite never leading, but South Carolina did its real damage after the break. The Gamecocks grabbed their first lead of the game with an Alaina Coates free throw early in the third quarter, but the Bruins pulled back ahead with a put-back bucket. South Carolina then sparked a 16-1 run to take control for good. 

"We knew that the second and third quarters had been their best quarters all the way through the year," UCLA coach Cori Close said. "We knew exactly what they were going to do, and we still couldn't stop it."

"I think they do have the best front line in the country," she added. 

Coates had eight of the 16 points during the crucial run, and she, like the team, did the majority of her damage after halftime, managing 18 points and eight boards in the second half alone. The senior All-American finished with 20 points and 14 rebounds, notching her seventh double-double in 10 games. 

A'ja Wilson put together a double-double as well, finishing with 13 points and 13 rebounds. The inside game was the primary focus for South Carolina, as the team attempted just three shots from beyond the arc. Kaela Davis, the Gamecocks' best three-point shooter, struggled to find her stroke throughout the game, making one of her 13 attempts and finishing with two points, her lowest scoring output in garnet and black. 

The focus inside forced fouls to pile up for the Bruins, and the Gamecocks attempted 32 foul shots, knocking down 21. UCLA's leading scorer Jordin Canada picked up her fourth foul early in the third quarter, sending her to the bench, and propelling South Carolina on its game-changing run.

Canada returned late in the third, scoring seven of the Bruins' 12 points in the period, but it was too late, as the Gamecocks led by 12 when she entered, and the lead never dwindled below nine again.

The game had an incredible pace to it, — Coates even compared the Bruins to track stars — and UCLA was able to get up 78 shots in the contest, while the Gamecocks hoisted 66. The Bruins were jumping the passing lanes, especially on outlet passes, forcing 15 South Carolina turnovers and scoring 14 points on the fast break.

Though the Gamecocks struggled at times with the speedy Bruins, coach Dawn Staley was comfortable with the pace throughout the contest. 

"They don't go deep into their bench, so the more that they had to play at that pace, I think it favored us because of our style of play. We were going to go a little bit deeper in our bench," Staley said. "And we wanted to get them in foul trouble. We wanted to exhaust Canada and make her work for everything."

Junior guard Allisha Gray said the main focus defensively was to "shut down Canada," and the Gamecocks accomplished that, as the Bruins' leading scorer finished with 15 points on 6-of-20 shooting before fouling out late in the fourth. 

"Once she gives the ball up, don't let her get it back," Gray said of the game plan for Canada. "Deny her the ball at all costs."

The Gamecocks leave Columbia after a three-game homestead to take on Savannah State on the road on Wednesday. The game will tip off from Savannah at 7 p.m., as South Carolina looks to claim its 10th win of the season. It'll be the Gamecocks' last game before starting SEC play on Jan. 1 at home against Alabama.


Comments