WBB: Gamecocks beat Tigers 57-48
South Carolina advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Tournament for the third year in a row with a 57-48 win over Auburn. Alaina Coates led South Carolina with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
South Carolina took control of the game with a dominant second quarter, and then did just enough in the second half to keep Auburn at bay.
Auburn used a quick start to take an early 9-3 lead as South Carolina had to shake off the rust of a five-day layoff. But South Carolina got three straight steals to provide a spark and scored 10 of the final 12 points of the first quarter to take a 13-11 lead into the break. The momentum carried into the second quarter as South Carolina dominated.
Coates started the game 0-5, but all the shots were around the rim as she was getting good position inside against the undersized Tigers. In the second quarter she relaxed and the shots started to fall. She started with three free throws, and then scored on a putback. She then added a traditional three-point play as the Gamecocks went on a 29-5 run.
"I didn't take my time on a lot of my shots (early)," Coates said. "I had to realize that you're up there, just keep the ball high, no one is going to block my shot. It was just a matter of taking my time."
They outscored the Tigers 19-5 in the second quarter alone, and held them to 2-14 (14 percent) shooting in the frame. The Gamecocks also scored 11 points off nine Tiger turnovers in the first half to take a 32-16 halftime lead.
The lead could have been much more if not for the Gamecocks' own offensive struggles. Despite the lopsided score, they only shot 36 percent from the floor in each of the first two quarters.
The second half did not get any better. Playing without starting point guard Khadijah Sessions, who was rested due to a stomach virus, South Carolina struggled to get in an offensive rhythm. South Carolina's defense maintained the margin well enough that Dawn Staley was able to substitute liberally and keep players' minutes down. Only one player, Tiffany Mitchell, played over 30 minutes, and despite dominating inside, Coates only played 25 minutes. Both players, along with A'ja Wilson, sat on the bench for long stretches to keep fresh for Saturday's semifinal game and the potential championship game on Sunday.
"You have to feel good about your performances," Staley said. "You want to correct the things we didn't do well in a short turnaround. But from a defensive standpoint I like what we're doing. Our offense has to find a way to find some fluidity."
Bianca Cuevas, who played 27 minutes, was the only Gamecock other than Coates to score in double figures, and she scored just ten points. Mitchell and Wilson each added eight points, and Wilson had eight rebounds and three blocks.
Brandy Montgomery led Auburn with 18 points. Tra'Cee tanner and Janiah McKay each added 10.
Notes:
South Carolina was presented with the 2016 SEC Regular Season Champions Trophy before the game. ... South Carolina improved to 12-23 all-time in the SEC Tournament. Eight of those wins, and only six losses, have come under Staley. ... Coates' double-double was her 16th of the season and the 38th of her career. South Carolina has only lost once when she records a double-double. ... South Carolina returns to action against the winner of the Kentucky-Florida game on Saturday at 5:00pm.
