Mixed Reactions: Thumbs up and down for South Carolina basketball towards Kentucky’s dominance

After blowing out the Alabama Crimson Tide on Thursday, South Carolina basketball coach Dawn Staley’s squad secured a share of the SEC regular season championship. They ensured they won the championship hands-down on Sunday in Rupp Arena, defeating the Kentucky Wildcats 103-55.

Even though Kamilla Cardoso was sidelined once more due to pain, the Gamecocks continued as usual. USC shot 64%/67% and assisted on 30 of their 38 baskets as seven different players—Bree Hall, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Sania Feagin, Chloe Kitts, Ashlyn Watkins, Te-Hina Paopao, and Raven Johnson—finished with at least nine points. Additionally, seven players—Fulwiley, Feagin, Kitts, Johnson, Watkins, Paopao, and Tessa Johnson—finished with at least three assists.

Carolina scored at least 25 points in three of the four quarters and held Kentucky under 15 in three of the four periods, demonstrating an unrelenting assault. Every player made at least 50% of their shots from the field and at least one block or steal, thus the attack came from all directions.

The Wildcats’ best players, Ajae Petty and Maddie Scherr, combined for 27 points on 11-19 shooting and 12 rebounds, but they were outscored by the rest of the team, who shot 24% from the field and 28% from three.

In their first meeting with UK, the Gamecocks did not score 100 points (they finished with 98), but they did break the triple-digit mark with to a few free throws from MiLaysia Fulwiley and a 3-pointer from Bree Hall.

In addition, Sania Feagin recorded career-highs in blocks (5) and scoring (16) as Chloe Kitts recorded a double-double. With 18, Bree Hall scored the most points in the game, followed by MiLaysia Fulwiley with 17, and a 12–12 day from the free throw line.