Gary B. Graves
Associated Press
Lexington, Kentucky – Aaliyah Boston had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Jia Cook scored 10 of 20 in a 16-0 rally in the second quarter, and leader South Carolina trailed in the fourth quarter. They beat Kentucky 95-66. thursday night.
After battling for a win at Mississippi State on Sunday, the Gamecocks (17-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) overcame another road challenge from the Wildcats to maintain their No. 1 share in the conference. bottom.
Kentucky’s 16-1 runs in the first and second quarters provided a 31-21 lead with 5:27 remaining, giving the reigning national champions great confidence. But South Carolina quickly picked up steam. Boston, who was shooting 9-of-11, responded with a jumper and Cook added a 3-point play, 3-point play and two layups during the surge to lead 37-33 at the break.
“I just did my part and waited for the game to come my way and be ready when the ball came my way,” said 8 of 14 from the field with five layups. Cook, who scored the innings shot, said.
The Gamecocks pulled off the floor 13 of 17 out of 17 after maintaining a small cushion at 3 of 4.
Maddie Scherr scored a career-high 25 points on five 3s for the Wildcats (8-9, 0-4). Kentucky lost her 67-48. Sunday’s 5 LSU at the Rupp Arena.
Kentucky added 17 points from Jada Walker and 10 from Robin Benton, shooting 42{ea2cba5bdf6fe62bbe85e24807814144a71e77d3ae7311fbc27a008558d1372c} but rebounding just 35-29 to the tall Gamecocks.
“I just tried to come in and talk to them about the positive things,” said Kentucky manager Kira Elsey. They ran in quarters, and we can learn from that.”
South Carolina nearly doubled Kentucky in scoring in the paint (62-32) en route to a season-best 64{ea2cba5bdf6fe62bbe85e24807814144a71e77d3ae7311fbc27a008558d1372c} (35 of 55). Camila Cardoso added his 12 points, Leticia Amichele added his 11, and the Gamecocks also dominated his score on the bench with his 39-10. Former East Clarendon star Talatia Cooper had limited playing time, making it his only goal attempt on the field. She finished with two points and a rebound.
Thursday was the team’s first meeting since Kentucky defeated the No. 1-seeded Gamecocks 64-62 to win the SEC Tournament title. South Carolina won his second national title and never looked back, but entered the contest with his four-way tie for the league.
big picture
South Carolina: The Gamecocks were unfazed by double-digit losses. The Gamecocks had plenty of time to regroup and use their size and speed to regain the lead. Cook ignited a rally and contributed key plays whenever needed to help the team survive another road test, surpassing his 63{ea2cba5bdf6fe62bbe85e24807814144a71e77d3ae7311fbc27a008558d1372c} accuracy against Auburn, the red hot him shooting was also helpful.
Director Dawn Staley said of this important run, “Sometimes you have to let things unfold.” …we will feel it.The most important thing is not to panic.”
Kentucky: The Wildcats stayed within reach but couldn’t stop Boston or Cook, who found plenty of space for layups. Cher marked his 10-of-15 from the field and his 5-of-7 from the deep, beating his personal best of 22 on Sunday. Inside scoring was another story against the nation’s top-shot blocking team, averaging 9.6 blocks. South Carolina denied him 11 attempts.
“I know they’re going to go down eventually,” Cher said. “I had the encouragement from my teammates and coaches and that got me there.”
next
South Carolina: Host Missouri on Sunday.
Kentucky: Head to Florida on Sunday to kick off the two-game road swing.
