The South Carolina women’s basketball team ended its streak of scoring 100 points in a single game, but they still easily defeated South Dakota State, 78-38, at Colonial Life Arena on Monday. The Fighting Irish (4-0) were without starting guard Te-Hina Paopao, who was out with an ankle injury, and her absence took a toll on their offence. They shot just 43% from the field and 0 for 11 from three-point range, but their defence was outstanding with a season high 15 steals.
Point guard Raven Johnson had a team-high 18 points and six assists, while centre Kamilla Cardoso had a career-high 23 points and 10 rebounds. Without Paopao, Cardoso was South Carolina’s most experienced player on the floor and she stepped up to fill the void in the offence. By halftime, she had hit six of the team’s 15 outside shots and was 8-for-12 from the field overall.
Despite the poor shooting percentage, the Fighting Irish controlled the game on the glass. They outrebounded South Dakota State 52-39, including 21 offensive rebounds. That allowed South Carolina to score 22 second-chance points.
South Dakota State (2-2) struggled on the offensive end, shooting just 27.4 percent from the field and 2-of-13 from 3-point range. They also committed 21 turnovers, leading to 28 points for the Fighting Irish.
Even with the lack of offence, the Fighting Irish overcame the lack of shooting to win their fourth straight game. They will look to continue their winning streak this Wednesday when they host North Carolina State.