Yahoo Sports No. 1 South Carolina dominates ECU. Here are 3 observations from 51-point win
South Carolina just had its most dominant game this season.
The No. 1 USC women’s basketball team (4-0) flexed its muscles at Colonial Life Arena, trouncing East Carolina (2-2) in a commanding 95-44 win Sunday afternoon.
Sure, it’s ECU — picked to finish sixth in the American Athletic Conference — but the Gamecocks didn’t look this strong Thursday in a 32-point win against Coppin State. Dominating teams you’re supposed to dominate is always a good thing.
Said USC head coach Dawn Staley of blowout wins: “It’s a perfect time for us to make sure our habits are being played out, and it’s a really hard time for the mistakes in the habits. Because the score is so lopsided, I’m only looking at habits.”
USC stormed to a 13-0 lead in Sunday’s first quarter, powered by relentless defense that set the tone early. The Gamecocks forced 26 turnovers and held the Pirates to 38.8% shooting.
Chloe Kitts led USC with 14 points and seven rebounds. Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley both chipped in 12 points, while Sania Feagin and Bree Hall scored 10 points each.
Every available Gamecock played and scored in Sunday’s win. Guard Tessa Johnson missed her second straight game, as she recovers from a lingering injury.
“Just be great for any and everybody,” Feagin said when asked about the balanced scoring effort. “When your number’s called, everybody come in ready and prepared for what we practiced the days before.”
USC travels to take on rival Clemson on Wednesday.
Here are three observations from South Carolina’s win over East Carolina:
Turnover frenzy
The Gamecocks’ defense came out hungry, forcing ECU into turnovers on its first five possessions and misses on its first five shots. By the end of the first half, the Pirates had coughed it up 15 times — 10 of those in the first quarter alone. That helped USC get off to a big lead in the first quarter.
“We’re constantly talking about getting off to quicker starts,” Staley said. “You could do that on both sides of the basketball. You could pressure for turnovers, or you can get out in transition offense and push and create advantages and score. I thought we got off to a good start.”
USC feasted on the Pirates’ mistakes, turning turnovers into 40 points and racking up 58 points in transition. Errant passes, travels, backcourt and shot-clock violations — you name it, ECU gave it away.
A few of those turnovers early were self-inflicted mistakes. ECU head coach Kim McNeill said her team was nervous, but it was also due in part to USC’s defense.
Even so, Staley sees room for improvement. After jumping out to a 7-0 lead after three minutes, the Gamecocks’ offense went stale. They went two minutes without another score.
“We should have probably been up by at least 20 at that point with the type of shots that we were getting,” Staley said. “But, the layups kill us when we miss them.”
Staley said it’s due in large part to still being in search of that key post player like Kamilla Cardoso. Her efficiency in the paint is needed, but she said USC will figure it out as the season goes along.
Dimes for everyone
South Carolina’s halfcourt offense, sometimes stagnant early this season, found a groove Sunday. Ball movement was crisp, leading to open shots and easy buckets.
The Gamecocks dished out seven assists on their first eight baskets, starting with a clean swing pass to Hall for a 3-pointer.
Hall knocked down two 3-pointers. She was 3 of 9 coming into the ECU game.
“My God, it felt great. It definitely felt great,” Hall said of getting shots to fall against ECU. “The other games, I was just really pressing to get the ball in and not letting myself just catch and shoot and shoot it with ease like I usually do.”
They finished with 22 assists. When the ball moves like that, the Gamecocks look unstoppable.
USC looks like the best
Sometimes, there’s no need to overcomplicate it. There isn’t a team in basketball that looks better than South Carolina. Two ranked wins to start the season and two home blowouts since.
“It’s inspirational to see what Dawn Staley and this program has done for women’s basketball in general,” McNeill said.
Against ECU, the Gamecocks dominated every major statistical category.
You have to win the games you’re supposed to win. And USC is doing just that, in huge fashion as well.
Schedule: Next four games
Wednesday at Clemson, 5 p.m on ESPN2
Nov. 24 at UCLA, 4 p.m. on FS1
Nov. 28 vs. Iowa State @ Fort Myers Tip-Off – 1:30 p.m. on FOX
Nov. 30 vs. Purdue @ Fort Myers Tip-Off – 11 a.m. on The Women’s Sports Network
