Gamecocks dominate UNC, advance to Sweet 16 with 88-41 win

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Another game, another rematch. South Carolina ran border rival North Carolina out of the gym in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, winning 88-41.

The game began in a back-and-forth sprint down the court. Kamilla Cardoso picked up where she left off, scoring two quick buckets for the Gamecocks.

South Carolina set the tone early, getting in the paint and controlling the pace of the game with fastbreaks and threes.

Tessa Johnson was a big piece in South Carolina’s success. The freshman guard hit three threes in the first half, including back-to-back threes in the first quarter.

The back-to-back threes by Tessa Johnson and a three by star freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley helped South Carolina pull off an 11-0 run in under two minutes, leading to a UNC timeout

The defensive pressure from the Gamecocks was too much for North Carolina throughout the game. The Tar Heels shot 23.5% in the first quarter, only scoring 8 points. South Carolina led 28-8 at the end of the first.

South Carolina continued to roll in the second quarter. Te-Hina Paopao, the team’s best three-point shooter, laced her first of the game to give the Gamecocks a 30-point lead. Her second three extended the lead to 40, giving the Gamecocks a 56-19 advantage at the halftime break.

MiLaysia Fulwiley helped the Gamecocks keep pace in the third quarter. Fulwiley scored five quick points to keep the lead at 36 heading into the fourth quarter.

South Carolina dominated the Tar Heels in a balanced attack. Five players ended the game in double figures, with Fulwiley leading the way with 20 points. The freshman also added two blocks and two steals, solidifying her star performance

The Tar Heels had no answer for the Gamecocks. North Carolina’s leading scorer Deja Kelly was given trouble all game, finishing with 7 points on 2-13 shooting.

Their other key player Alyssa Ustby led the team in points today with 12, although shooting 4-16 from the field. North Carolina ended the game with a 23.7% field goal percentage, smothered by the defense of the Gamecocks.

South Carolina went on to cruise to an 88-41 victory.

Kamilla Cardoso, the team’s leading scorer, finished the game with a double-double, 12 points and 10 rebounds.

South Carolina was on fire from three. The Gamecocks shot 45% from deep, making 9 threes.

The Gamecocks will play the winner of Oklahoma and Indiana in the Sweet Sixteen on March 29.