Gamecocks improve to 4-3 in SEC after win at Vanderbilt
Something had to give in Nashville on Sunday.
The Commodores were undefeated at home, but had lost their previous two games. The Gamecocks had dropped their last three, but defeated Vanderbilt 65-55 two weeks ago in Columbia. While Vanderbilt leads the country in 3-point shooting percentage, the Gamecocks allow the nations lowest percentage.
In a matchup of contrasting styles, 40 minutes simply wasn’t enough to settle the duel. Neither team had played an overtime game all year, but it was the Gamecocks (15-5, 4-3) who prevailed at Memorial Gym, taking down No. 22 Vanderbilt (14-5, 2-4) 65-60 in overtime.
“We came into this battle and won,” said assistant coach Nikki McCray after the game. “We won the fight.”
Sunday’s big victory comes following a disappointing 53-49 loss at Auburn last Thursday. After trailing by as many as 13, the Gamecocks mounted a second half comeback, taking a 47-46 lead with 5:25 to go. Later tied at 49 with just over two minutes left, the Tigers pulled away late, as USC failed to hit another shot.
Under coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina has earned a reputation as an elite defensive team. The Gamecocks lead the conference in scoring defense, and are second in the country, allowing only 45.2 points per game. The defense may have bent, but it didn’t break, as Vanderbilt was held well below its season shooting averages.
“Winning the hustle plays and eliminating the types of 3-point shots that they’re used to getting was huge for us,” McCray said.
Though the Gamecocks trailed for the majority of the first half, having been down by as many as eight points, they closed on a 16-2 run. Just before time expired, La’Keisha Sutton heaved a desperation 3-point attempt that dropped in cleanly, sending the Gamecocks into the locker room with a six-point lead, and more importantly, momentum.
After being held without a free throw attempt in the first half, Vanderbilt’s offensive aggressiveness picked up significantly in the second. The Commodores went on to shoot 17-20 from the line, a key factor in their ability to get back in the game. With two minutes to go, Ieasia Walker blocked a layup on the fast break, and then found Sutton for the easy bucket on the other end, turning what could have been a tied game into a crucial four-point lead for the Gamecocks. Vanderbilt quickly responded with a jumper from Stephanie Holzer, and two free throws from SEC leading scorer Christina Foggie, after being fouled on a drive to the basket. With 20 seconds on the clock and one final chance to win it in regulation, the Gamecocks failed to get a shot off.
After blowing multiple chances to finish off the game, South Carolina seemed to have lost its momentum.
“Going on the road is unforgiving,” Staley told reporters after the game. “This team is resilient.”
That resiliency was clearly on display in overtime, as USC allowed only four points to the Commodores.
After controlling the opening tipoff, Sutton — who finished with a game-high 20 points on 7-14 shooting — nailed a wide open 3-pointer; however, Vanderbilt answered quickly with a traditional 3-point play from Foggie.
With 30 seconds left, down by three and a chance to tie it up, Vanderbilt turned the ball over when sophomore center Stephanie Holzier was called for an offensive foul on a screen. Ieasia Walker made one of two free throws on the other end, putting the Gamecocks up by four and cementing the win.
“It was a gutty performance,” Staley told reporters. “I think our team is constantly growing ... Learning how to win.”
Following the victory, McCray had a message for all Gamecock supporters.
“I want all of our fans to come out and support us,” McCray said. “We’ve got a great group here. I think we’re doing something special this season. We’ve already set some milestones. If we can continue to get the support night in and night out, I think the sky is the limit for Gamecock women’s basketball.”