Columbia, SC—– Senior Day in Columbia, SC. The Gamecocks will honor three top notch student athletes. Kamila Cordos, Te-Hina Paopao, and Sakima Walker. Cordoso, one of the best players in the country along with Te-Hina Paopao who leads the nation in three-point percentage. Cardoso and Paopao put on a show Sunday afternoon.
The Gamecocks (29-0, 16-0 Southeastern Conference) won their 47th straight SEC regular-season game, their 57th straight at home and their sixth in a row over the Lady Vols (17-11, 10-6).
Kamilla Cardoso scored 18 points and 14 rebounds, Te-Hina Paopao scored 14 points and No. 1 South Carolina completed its second straight perfect regular season with a 76-68 victory over Tennessee on Sunday.
“I am super proud of them,” coach Dawn Staley said. “Like, super proud. If you compare the undefeated season from last year to this year, it’s so much different. Yet we end up in the same place. And it doesn’t make me any more or less proud.”
The Volunteers managed to make it a game for most of the afternoon. Something that hasn’t happened often this season for the Gamecocks in conference play. Rickea Jackson had a game-high 29 points for Tennessee. While Jasmine Powell and Jewel Spear added 12 apiece.
Cardoso played in front of her mother, Janete Soares and older sister, Jessica Silva, after they arrived from Brazil. Coach Dawn Staley facilitated their arrival, with help from U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, by getting visas approved. Te-Hina Paopao, a Westcoast native, also had close relatives in town for another one of her fan favorite performances.
Tennessee cut it to a 15-point deficit to 63-60 on Jackson’s jumper with 4:51 to play, it was Cardoso who extended the margin with consecutive inside shots. Cardoso, who fouled out late in the fourth quarter, got a loud ovation from the sold-out arena as she went to the bench. Cardoso finished with her 13th double-double this season and 29th of her career.
NEXT UP:
The Gamecocks and the Volunteers both travel to Greenville, SC for The SEC Tournament. South Carolina will hold the #1seed. The SEC tournament tips off Wednesday March 6, 2024 at 11am.
