COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball hasn’t lost to Clemson in 13 years, and that didn’t change Thursday as the Gamecocks dominated the Tigers in historic fashion 109-40.
No. 1 South Carolina (3-0) went on a 28-0 run in the first half, longer than any run the team made in any game last season. It was coach Dawn Staley’s 200th win at Colonial Life Arena in just 234 games there; nine of those losses came during her first season in 2008-09. South Carolina has not lost at home since Dec. 3, 2020.
Six players scored in double digits after seven did so against Maryland on Sunday. South Carolina was led by senior center Kamilla Cardoso, who logged her third double-double in as many games with 15 points and 13 rebounds. She also put up three blocks and a season-high four assists, with only one foul.
Clemson is 3-1.
More:How Dawn Staley, A’ja Wilson brought Joyce Edwards to South Carolina women’s basketball
Raven Johnson dominates with passing
Sophomore point guard Raven Johnson didn’t score a point until the third quarter, but with a career-high 17 assists, plus eight rebounds and five steals, the Gamecocks felt her influence on both ends of the court. She had the highest plus-minus on the team at plus-44.
Johnson’s assists marked the first time a South Carolina player logged more than 10 in a game since Destanni Henderson did it against Arkansas on Jan. 18, 2021. Johnson ranks second all time in single-game assists for the Gamecocks, behind only Cristina Ciocan’s 18 against Florida A&M in 2003. She is also the first player to record more than 14 assists against a Power Five opponent in program history.
Te-Hina Paopao shoots the lights out
Oregon transfer Te-Hina Paopao couldn’t miss in the first quarter — literally. The senior guard went 3 of 3 from 3-point range and 4 of 4 from the field, and her first miss didn’t come until two minutes into the second quarter. Even then, she grabbed her own rebound and attempted the put-back.
Paopao finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, going 4-for-5 on 3-pointers to lead the team. The Gamecocks shot 53% from the field and 38.5% from beyond the arc.
Five-star Columbia natives put on a show
Sophomore Ashlyn Watkins and freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley, both former five-star prospect from Columbia, had the play of the game when Fulwiley sent a behind-the-back pass to Watkins under the basket, and Watkins finished on the layup, accompanied by a roar from the Gamecocks’ packed student section.
Fulwiley had the best stat line of her young career, just missing a double-double after fouling out late in the third quarter. She finished with 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists, and was 4-for-7 from 3-point range. Watkins had her third game with at least four blocks, also adding a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
Follow South Carolina women’s basketball reporter Emily Adams on X @eaadams6 and subscribe to The Greenville News for exclusive Gamecocks content: https://subscribe.greenvilleonline.com/offers.
Get the latest news and insight on the SEC by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.