The South Carolina women’s basketball team earned three wins over the weekend in the Waikiki Beach Marriott Rainbow Wahine Showdown to improve their record to 7-0. In addition to leaving the tournament with the trophy, sophomores A’ja Wilson and Bianca Cuevas were named to the All-Tournament Team, with Wilson earning MVP honors.
The weekend began Friday night with the Gamecocks taking down No. 16 Arizona State 60-58. Wilson and Cuevas led the charge, scoring 18 points apiece, including Wilson’s game-winning free throws in the final seconds.
Despite the Sun Devils’ strong front line, South Carolina earned a massive advantage in the paint, outscoring Arizona State down low 42-16. Wilson also added 11 rebounds to collect her fourth double-double in the team’s first five games.
Saturday night, the women were back in action, taking down CSU Bakersfield 90-71. The score line makes it appear as though the Gamecocks had total control, but the team led by only eight points at the start of the second half. However, South Carolina shot 69 percent from the field in the final period, and Wilson and Cuevas combined for 19 points to pull away.
The duo of sophomores combined for 46 of the team’s 90 points in the game.
Their contributions did not stop there. Wilson posted a game-high four blocks and a career-high four assists, while Cuevas led the team with six assists and three steals.
Sunday, the Gamecocks took on host Hawai’i with the opportunity to win the tournament outright. South Carolina struggled to put away the inferior home team but made the most of the Warriors’ turnovers, scoring 23 points off 20 turnovers and earning a 67-51 win. Yet again it was Wilson and Cuevas leading the charge, but seniors Tiffany Mitchell and Khadjiah Sessions chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively.
The second-ranked Gamecocks struggled with inferior competition. Coach Dawn Staley may grant Cuevas more playing time after her exceptional weekend, but only time will tell how this team will click on the court. The Gamecocks return home to face another big test Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., when the team will take on the No. 14 Duke Blue Devils in Colonial Life Arena.