In an impressive defensive performance, South Carolina women's basketball outscored Maine 52-8 in the paint en route to a 79-42 victory.
"We have a team that understands that points in the paint is very important," said junior forward A'ja Wilson. "It's something we can really attack on with our opponents, especially if they are undersized."
The Gamecocks shutout the Black Bears in the first six minutes of play, limiting them to just five points in the first period. With South Carolina's imposing physical presence in the interior, Maine was forced to settle on contested shots from the perimeter.
The Gamecocks opened with a 15-0 run, with Wilson scoring the first three baskets.
In South Carolina's first two games of the season, their guards struggled to locate Wilson for open looks. Against Hampton, the All-American accounted for 14 of her 20 hard-earned points at the free-throw line. Tonight, South Carolina's ball handlers targeted her for uncontested jump shots in the paint, and she responded with an efficient seven-for-eight performance from the field.
The contest marked South Carolina's second of three games in as many days. The congested schedule and the early lead provided head coach Dawn Staley with an opportunity to rest her starters and incorporate her bench.
"When our starters do their job — that's a luxury — to give them (young players) game-experience," Staley said. "When they don't do their jobs we gotta play our starters over 30 minutes a night. That doesn't help their cause and their growth."
After relying on Wilson and senior forward Alaina Coates early on, South Carolina was able to more evenly distribute scoring chances later in the game. Five Gamecocks finished with double-digit point totals.
Freshman forward Mikiah Herbert Harrigan finished second in scoring, tallying 13 points. Herbert Harrigan has reaped the benefit of being mentored at the post by two All-SEC honorees in Coates and Wilson.
Wilson said, "When I think of Kiki (Herbert Harrigan), I honestly think of myself freshman year."
The Gamecocks will play the finale of their three consecutive games against Saint Peter's on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m.