No. 3 South Carolina WBB overwhelms USF. Here’s what we learned

While it probably wasn’t the most impressive performance, the South Carolina women’s basketball team still had flashes of its usual dominance in a 78-62 win Sunday over the University of South Florida at Colonial Life Arena.

South Florida (5-6) hung around for most of the first half by making tough shots and playing tough defense, forcing 12 South Carolina turnovers.

The Gamecocks kept USF at arm’s length on the scoreboard throughout the second half, especially by holding the Bulls scoreless across a four-minute stretch in the third quarter. That was a part of a 10-1 run to pull away. The Gamecocks never trailed, and their largest lead was 26, a margin they held twice in the fourth quarter.

USF head coach Jose Fernandez said the Bulls wanted to come out of halftime to take advantage of the game, but were unable to do that.

“Once we got back to our disciplined style of play, we can create our own momentum. And I thought we did that,” USC head coach Dawn Staley said.

This game was the first half of a home-and-home. USC will travel to Tampa next season to face USF.

South Carolina (10-1) now turns its attention to Charleston Southern, which comes to town Thursday.

Here are three observations from USC’s win over USF:

Not the usual blowout early

The Gamecocks looked poised for a big win in the game’s opening minutes, jumping out to an early 20-6 lead in the first quarter. Yet the Bulls fought back, cutting the lead in half by the midway point of the second quarter.

The rest of the first half was even, with South Carolina leading 43-31 at halftime. That 12-point lead was the Gamecocks’ lowest first-half lead at home this season. USC led Coppin State at home by 15 back in November.

“I think sometimes we get out to a quick start, we think it’s going to be a lopsided win, so we really just focus on offense,” Staley said. “And then we get really careless and undisciplined defensively. Then, teams will show you who they are, and they capture the momentum of the game and make you pay.”

Some 3s fall, some don’t

USC started 4 of 4 from deep, with Te-hina Paopao and Bree Hall making two apiece in the first quarter. The Gamecocks missed their next seven 3-pointers and missed 11 of their last 12. The hot start played a significant role in the ability to pull away early, but once those shots stopped falling, it opened the door for USF to stay in the game.

Raven Johnson hit the team’s final 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter. South Carolina finished 5 of 16 from 3-point range.

Power in the post

Senior Sania Feagin and freshman Joyce Edwards both had their best games of the season. Feagin scored a season-high 14 points to go along with a block and a steal. Freshman Joyce Edwards also scored a career-high 15 points and had two blocks.

“We just capitalized on our defense, who’s just ready for any jump off for like assist passes. So, just keeping our hands ready and just staying ready for the moment,” Feagin said.

They powered a Gamecocks offense that scored 46 points in the paint.

“Once we got them the ball with two feet in the paint, they were really finishing,” Staley said. “And if we can steal some moments like that throughout the game, it just helps decrease the amount of pressure that our offense has to perform at a high clip.”

Edwards emphasized, though, that this underlines the team’s depth, saying that “anybody can go off any day.”

This and that

▪ Senior center Sakima Walker did not dress and sat out Sunday with an injury. Staley said Walker didn’t practice through the week, only doing some light shooting after practice Friday. She’s considered day to day.

Next four games

• Thursday: vs. Charleston Southern, noon (SEC Network Plus)

• Dec. 29: vs. Wofford, 2 p.m. (SEC Network)

• Jan. 2: at Missouri, 7 p.m. (SEC Network)

• Jan. 5: at Mississippi State, 2 p.m. (SEC Network)