The Daily Gamecock

Gamecocks defeat Ole Miss in Wilson's return

South Carolina advanced to 6-0 in SEC play with a 65-46 win over Ole Miss. 

Those 65 points for South Carolina marked the second lowest total of the season for the Gamecocks, and the fewest in a win. Still, the Gamecocks held the Rebels to 37 percent from the field and maintained a comfortable lead for the majority of the game.  

Junior forward A'ja Wilson returned to the court after missing two games with an ankle sprain, however, she was limited to just 15 minutes of action, scoring six points. 

A strong performance by center Alaina Coates helped compensate for Wilson's restrictions, as the senior recorded a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. 

"I sure am glad I don't have to play Coates anymore," said Ole Miss coach Matt Insell. "That's four years of just misery having to prepare to play her."

Insell said that he felt Coates was under-appreciated nationally and would take her with the top pick in the WNBA draft if he were an NBA general manager. 

The Gamecocks benefited from efficient ball distribution in the first half, with guards Allisha Gray, Tyasha Harris and Bianca Cuevas-Moore combining for seven assists and just one turnover.  As a team South Carolina committed only three turnovers in the half, compared to the Rebels' nine.  

South Carolina secured a 37-22 halftime lead, closing out the half with a 13-3 run. 

After trying to score in transition in the first half, Ole Miss tried to move the ball down to the post in the second. At times South Carolina struggled to stop the physical play of Ole Miss forward Taylor Manuel. An arsenal of spins and pivots off the dribble allowed Manuel to be highly effective in the paint as she compiled 13 points. 

Kaela Davis and Allisha Gray also reached double-digits in scoring for the Gamecocks in the win. 

First place in the SEC will be on the line when the Gamecocks take the floor next. South Carolina will host No. 4 Mississippi State on Monday Jan. 23. 

"We know that this will probably be the game that kinda decides it all," said Coates on the upcoming game with Mississippi State. 

Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena. 


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