Columbia S.C.— Another packed house on a Thursday night at Colonial Life Arena. The No.1 undefeated South Carolina Gamecock Women’s continuing their home winning streak at 53 straight games.
The Missouri Tigers, who played without injured leading scorer and rebounder Hayley Frank, could not keep up and trailed 48-21 at the break on the way to their fifth straight loss and seventh defeat in the past eight games against South Carolina.
Star Freshman and human highlight reel MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 19 points, Chloe Kitts had 12 points and South Carolina handily won its first of two games with leading scorer Kamilla Cardoso out for Olympic qualifying for her national Brazilian team in an 83-45 victory over Missouri on Thursday night.
Cardoso, a contender for Southeastern Conference player of the year, is competing for her national team, Brazil, in attempting to reach the Paris Games. Cordoso is also on the Naismith Watch list.
Without their 6-foot-7 centerpiece, things got off to a rocky start for the Gamecocks (22-0, 10-0) as the team had two turnovers and missed three shots while Missouri (11-12, 2-8) opened a 6-0 lead.
But soon enough South Carolina was off and running with a 37-12 burst behind some of its youngest players in Kitts, Ashlyn Watkins, and Fulwiley. Kitts and Watkins, sophomores, and Fulwiley, a freshman, combined for 31 points during the run.
The dynamic Fulwiley brought some missing energy to her team and the crowd, hitting a pair of threes and having a sweet inside pass to Kitts for another basket. Fulwiley finished with six of her team’s 15 steals.
Ashton Judd, Abbey Schreacke, and Grace Slaughter had 12 points each for Missouri. The undefeated Gamecocks remain as such. Despite their performance, the Gamecocks outscored Missouri by five points in the frame to extend their lead.
Along with Cardoso, the Gamecocks were also without freshman reserve forward Sahnya Jah, who was suspended indefinitely for conduct detrimental to the team. Coach Dawn Staley offered no more explanation other than to say the suspension will be day to day as she works to rejoin the Gamecocks.
South Carolina has probably their biggest out of conference test so far this season in their next contest.
NEXT UP:
For the Gamecocks the No.11 Connecticut Huskies come to town.
The Tigers return home on Sunday to take on Auburn. Tipoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Mizzou Arena and will be available on SECN+.
