Dec. 6, 2007

		Game Notes
Buy Tickets	Promotions	Parking Information

Last Time Out
Aggressive defense and career offensive nights for senior Ilona Burgrova and Jordan Jones delivered a 72-26 victory over Charleston Southern Tuesday night at the Colonial Center. The Lady Bucs’ 26 points tied the South Carolina record for fewest points by an opponent. In other record-breaking news, Lakesha Tolliver swatted away five shots, making her the school record holder for career blocks with 152. Burgrova tied her career high with 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting, while Jones netted a game-high 19 points, including four 3-pointers. Junior Demetress Adams collected her second double-double in as many games with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Series Notes
The Gamecocks and Tigers have never met. In fact, South Carolina has played only one Southwestern Athletic Conference team. The Gamecocks topped Alcorn State 96-52 on Dec. 29, 2002.

Scouting the Tigers
Jackson State lost two starters from last year’s WNIT team, which won the SWAC regular-season title and finished 22-11. All-Conference guard LaSharee Christian leads the offense with 14.9 ppg on 40.4 percent shooting. She is second on the team in rebounding to senior center Carena Easley, who pulls down 5.6 boards per game. Junior guard DeQuisha Davis is the long-range threat for the Tigers, shooting 36.1 percent from behind the arc. As a team, the Tigers are scoring 56.3 points per game on 36.1 percent shooting, including 31.1 percent from 3-point range. Opponents have posted 66.7 points per game, shooting 41.3 percent from the field, including 33.0 percent from 3-point range, and have out-rebounded the Tigers by 7.3 boards per game.

Injury Report
The Gamecocks have been without two of their starting guards since Nov. 25 as junior Brionna Dickerson and freshman Courtney Newton both left the Illinois game with injuries. Dickerson’s return from a foot injury, which occurred prior to the Illinois contest, is being evaluated each day. Newton suffered a left knee sprain against the Illini and is undergoing rehab, which is progressing well. She is expected to miss at least the next two games and will be closely monitored throughout that time to determine a return date.

Suddenly Susan
Head coach Susan Walvius is in her 11th season as the Gamecocks’ mentor with a 155-146 record. She has led South Carolina to two NCAA Tournaments and two WNITs, including an NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 2001-02. Her players have also excelled in the classroom. In 2006-07, 10 Gamecocks appeared on the SEC Winter Sports Academic Honor Roll. In the last four years, South Carolina has placed more student-athletes on that list than any other school. Walvius has an 18-year career record of 253-247.

Ticket Information
Adults are admitted for $7. Youth under the age of 18 are admitted for $3. Season tickets are $40. For more information or to order tickets, contact the South Carolina Ticket Office toll free at 800-4SC-FANS or locally at 803-777-4274. Tickets can also be ordered via the athletics web site GamecocksOnline.com.

A South Carolina Win Would …

• Give the Gamecocks a 2-0 record against Southwestern Athletic Conference teams
• Give South Carolina its best nine-game record since the 2003-04 team opened the season 8-1
• Improve Susan Walvius’ record to 72-11 in regular-season non-conference home games
• Improve Susan Walvius’ record to 107-49 in regular-season games against non-conference opponents

Hold `Em
The Gamecocks tied a school record when they held Charleston Southern to just 26 points on Dec. 4. The Lady Bucs’ limited offense matched that of Bethune-Cookman on Dec. 21, 2005. South Carolina allowed Charleston Southern to shoot just 16.7 percent from the field, the second-lowest efficiency by an opponent in Gamecock history, trailing Bethune-Cookman’s 14 percent accuracy.

Locking Down
South Carolina entered the season with a lofty defensive reputation, and the season opener that saw Saint Francis (Pa.) net just 33 points did little to mar it. The Gamecocks have allowed 70 or more points just twice this season while holding four opponents to 60 or fewer points. Last season, South Carolina yielded 70 or more points just eight times in 33 games, including six games against nationally-ranked teams, and held opponents to 60 or fewer points 16 times, including #7 LSU. The 2005-06 team set a school record by allowing opponents just 56.8 points per game. That season, 16 games saw opponents net 60 or fewer points while seven reached the 70-point plateau.

It’s a Block Party!
The NCAA posted the season’s first statistical rankings of the season, and, through games of Dec. 2, South Carolina was tied for 19th in the nation with 5.6 blocked shots per game. The Gamecocks were tied with Alabama for second in the SEC in the category, trailing top-ranked Tennessee’s 8.0 blocks per game. The Lady Vols were second in the nation to North Carolina’s 8.1 per contest. South Carolina senior Lakesha Tolliver is second in the SEC in blocks per game with 2.3, a number that ranked her 36th in the nation. Michigan State’s Allyssa DeHaan led the nation with 5.0 per outing.

On the Mark
Junior Demetress Adams ranked 19th in the nation in field goal percentage, according to the NCAA statistical rankings through games of Dec. 2. Shooting 59.4 percent from the field, Adams is second in the SEC behind Vanderbilt’s Liz Sherwood, who leads the nation at 75 percent (54-of-72).

Like a Broken Record
One game after etching her name in as the school record holder for blocked shots in a game with seven against UNC Wilmington, senior Lakesha Tolliver completed her trifecta of blocked shot records by becoming the South Carolina career record holder with five swats against Charleston Southern. Just eight games into her senior season, Tolliver’s 152 career blocks eclipsed the Michelle Murray’s previous record of 148. Tolliver set the school record for single-season blocked shots in 2006-07 with 60. She has 15 through eight games this season.

Like a Broken Record – Part Two
Already the school record holder in single-season blocked shots after swatting away 60 in 2006-07, senior Lakesha Tolliver etched her name in the South Carolina record book again when she blocked seven shots against UNC Wilmington. Tolliver bested the six blocks of Teresa Geter at Alabama on Jan. 14, 2001 and Michelle Murray’s six in three different games.

More Statistical Stuff
In the first NCAA statistical rankings, which includes games through Dec. 2, South Carolina was among the nation’s top 50 in three categories. The Gamecocks were ranked the highest in blocked shots (see note above), but also came in at 44th in field goal percentage (.446) and 48th in steals per game (11.3). Individually, Adams was the highest-ranked Gamecock, coming in 19th in field goal percentage. Senior Lakesha Tolliver’s 2.3 blocked shots per game were 36th in the nation, while freshman Jordan was 27th in the country in 3-point field goals made with an SEC-high 2.71 per game. Easter Michigan’s Alyssa Pittman led the nation in that category, hitting 3.9 3-pointer per contest.

Balancing Act
After a 2006-07 campaign that saw the Gamecock frontcourt carrying the load, South Carolina’s offense this season has been more of a balance between inside and outside play. The inside quartet of Demetress Adams, Ilona Burgrova, Jewel May and Lakesha Tolliver has provided 33.6 of the teams 71.4 points per game (47.1%). Last season, the frontcourt accounted for 39.5 of the team’s 68.6 ppg (57.8%).

Bounce Back
South Carolina recovered from its 91-58 loss to Illinois quickly with an 82-66 win over Florida International two days later. In the last four seasons, the Gamecocks are 5-3 in games after a loss of 20 or more points, and one of those losses was last season’s three-point defeat against No. 7 LSU following a 36-point loss at No. 3 Tennessee.

Old Number, New Beginning
After a modest beginning to her career wearing No. 32, this season junior Brionna Dickerson went back to the No. 23 jersey that saw her score 3,400 points in high school. Proof that “A Change Would Do You Good,” as Sheryl Crow has sung, Dickerson’s offense has exploded this season. Averaging 1.8 points and 6.1 points during her freshman and sophomore campaigns, respectively, Dickerson is second on the team with 12.8 ppg early this season. She opened with a career-best 17 points against Saint Francis (Pa.) on Nov. 6 then poured in 27 to guide the Gamecocks past Virginia on Nov. 15. Hitting just nine 3-pointers all of last season, she was 5-of-7 from long range against Virginia, including a perfect 5-of-5 in the first half.

Fresh Frosh
With six true freshmen on the roster this season, rookie guard Jordan Jones set the tone early. Behind 15 points in the first 13 minutes against Saint Francis, including four 3-pointers, Jones was named Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for the period ending Nov. 11. She is fourth on the team at 11.7 ppg and is hitting 41.3 percent from behind the 3-point line. Two other first-year players are having an immediate impact on the team. Samone Kennedy leads the team with 22 assists and is third in steals with 12. Courtney Newton is tied for second on the club with 15 assists.

Ms. Clutch
When the game is on the line, toss out the percentages and get the ball to Lakesha Tolliver. The senior began her reputation last season when, despite a 63.6 free throw shooting percentage, she drained three free throws with eight seconds left to tie Mississippi State, giving the Gamecocks the chance to pick up the overtime win. This season, on Nov. 15 against Virginia, South Carolina had one shot to win the game. Tolliver, who was 3-of-8 in the game and 6-of-17 on the season, drilled a 14-foot jumper with 1.3 seconds left to cap off a dramatic 25-7 run over the final 6:46 of the contest.

Double Double-Double
In the season opener against Saint Francis (Pa.), a pair of Gamecocks posted double-doubles for the second time in two seasons. Forwards Lakesha Tolliver and Demetress Adams accomplished the feat against the Red Flash, while Melanie Johnson and Ilona Burgrova turned the trick at Wilmington on Dec. 30, 2006. Prior to last season’s effort, the last Gamecock duo to record double-doubles was Iva Sliskovic and Cristina Ciocan against Southern Utah on Dec. 5, 2003.

What’s Next
Not to get too far ahead of ourselves, but it’s worth noting that South Carolina’s fall signing class is ranked among the nation’s elite. Blue Star Basketball has tabbed the Gamecocks’ fivesome of Becky Burke, Taylor Dalrymple, Charenee Stephens, Sada Wheeler and Tonia Williams the seventh-best class in the nation. Carolina is just behind perennial powers Tennessee, LSU, Rutgers, Connecticut, North Carolina and Georgetown. It is the highest-ranked recruiting class of head coach Susan Walvius’ tenure at South Carolina and is her third nationally-ranked group in the last four years.

The Adams Family
Junior Demetress Adams (Bishopville, S.C./Lee Central) leads the Gamecocks with 13.8 ppg and 8.3 rebounds per game … is shooting 59.7 percent from the field … has been the team’s leading scorer three times, including two games in which she collected team-high honors in rebounds as well … has reached double figures in points in all eight games … posted her second double-double in as many games with 11 points and 11 rebounds against Charleston Southern … pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds and added 11 points for her second double-double of the season against UNC Wilmington … also handed out a team-high five assists against the Seahawks to match her career high … was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field at Florida International … swiped four steals against Illinois while leading the team with 14 points and tying for team-high honors with five rebounds … sank a career-high eight shots against Penn State en route to a team-high 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds as well … just missed out on team-high honors with seven rebounds against Buffalo … scored a career-high 21 points against Saint Francis (Pa.), including going 7-of-8 from the free throw line, and completed the double-double with a career-high tying 12 rebounds.

Know Your ABCs
Freshman Ashlie Billingslea (Stone Mountain, Ga./Stephenson) continues to rehab after surgery on her left knee in mid-September.

That’s Czech Mate
Senior Ilona Burgrova (Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic) is second on the team in rebounding with 7.8 boards per game and is adding 7.4 points per contest … has led the team in rebounding in four games this season, including three games of double-digit boards … tied her career high with 17 points on 8-of-9 shooting and grabbed nine rebounds against Charleston Southern … scored a season-high 10 points against UNC Wilmington … grabbed a team-high 11 rebounds at Florida International, one shy of her career high, and tied her season high of eight points … also matched her career high with a team-high four assists at FIU … pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds against Penn State, including five on the offensive end, and tied her season high with eight points … reached double figures with 10 rebounds against Virginia … was solid in the season opener with eight points on 4-of-5 shooting and seven rebounds against Saint Francis (Pa.).

What Do You Serve With Brie?
Junior Brionna Dickerson (Columbia, S.C./Heathwood Hall) is second on the team with 12.8 ppg and is its most accurate 3-point shooter at 42.9 percent (6-of-14) … has missed the last four games with a foot injury, which is being evaluated day-to-day to determine her return … has reached double-figure points in three of five games this season … scored 11 points and tied her season high with four rebounds against Penn State … set a career-high with 27 points on 10-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-7 from 3-point range, against Virginia … opened the season with a 17-point outing against Saint Francis (Pa.), shooting 8-of-16 from the field and handing out four assists.

My Friends Call Me Coco
Redshirt freshman Lauren Falohun (Atlanta, Ga./Pace Academy) has come off the bench in four games … played a season-high nine minutes against Illinois … grabbed a pair of rebounds in her college debut against Saint Francis (Pa.).

Pastor Jones
Senior Ebony Jones (Aiken, S.C./Aiken) has played in six games, including two starts … is scoring 3.8 ppg … added eight points, including two 3-pointers, against Charleston Southern … made her first career start at Florida International and responded with career-high numbers in points (9), field goals (3), 3-point field goals (3), assists (3), steals (2) and minutes (30) … tied her then-career high with six points on two 3-pointers against Illinois … made her season debut against Saint Francis (Pa.).

J.J. is Dy-no-mite
Freshman Jordan Jones (Suwanee, Ga./Collins Hill) is third on the team in scoring at 12.6 ppg and is shooting 41.8 percent from 3-point range … has scored double-figure points in six games and has hit at least one 3-pointer in every game … scored a season-high 19 points on 4-of-9 shooting from 3-point range while grabbing four rebounds and swiping three steals against Charleston Southern … played a tick under 40 minutes against UNC Wilmington, adding 13 points to the victory … was named to the FIU Thanksgiving Classic All-Tournament team … netted 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting and 6-of-7 free-throw accuracy at Florida International … scored 13 points and grabbed two offensive rebounds against Illinois … added 11 points to go with five rebounds against Buffalo … exploded onto the scene with 15 points, including four 3-pointers, four assists and four steals in the season-opener against Saint Francis (Pa.), an effort that garnered SEC Freshman of the Week honors.

The Kennedy Legacy
Freshman Samone Kennedy (Birmingham, Ala./Ramsay) has played significant minutes in all eight games, including two starts … leads the team with 28 assists and has scored 5.1 ppg … dished out a season-high six assists against Charleston Southern … handed out four assists against UNC Wilmington and added six points, all from the free throw line in the final two minutes of the game … hit 5-of-7 free throws, including 3-of-4 in the final two minutes, at Florida International … made her first career start against Illinois and handed out a season-high five assists … netted eight points and grabbed three rebounds in a season-high 29 minutes against Penn State … scored 13 points, handed out three assists and swiped three steals in just 20 minutes in her collegiate debut against Saint Francis (Pa.).

Jewel of the Nile
Freshman Jewel May (Conyers, Ga./Heritage) has come off the bench in five games and has grabbed 2.0 rebounds per game … scored a season-high five points and snagged three rebounds against Charleston Southern … pulled down three rebounds in just three minutes at Florida International … matched her season-high with two boards against Illinois … added two points and two rebounds in nine minutes of action in the season opener against Saint Francis (Pa.).

A Newton of Force
Freshman Courtney Newton (Flowery Branch, Ga./Flowery Branch) suffered a knee injury against Illinois and will be out at least the next two games while undergoing rehab … has started four of five games this season and is second on the team with 15 assists … led the team with a season-high 17 points, on 6-of-11 shooting, including three 3-pointers, and handed out four assists against Buffalo … dished out four assists against Virginia … opened her college career with six assists against just one turnover and scored three points against Saint Francis (Pa.).

Set the Pace
Junior transfer C.J. Pace (Snellville, Ga./Chipola College) has scored 2.9 ppg … made her first career start against Florida International and delivered nine points on 4-of-8 shooting and swiped two steals … grabbed a pair of rebounds against Illinois … scored four points and pulled down two offensive rebounds against Buffalo … made her Gamecock debut against Saint Francis (Pa.), adding four points.

And All That Jas
Freshman Jasmine Payne (Bay Springs, Miss./Stringer) has come off the bench in six games and averages 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds … played a season-high 22 minutes, adding four points, three rebounds and two blocked shots against Charleston Southern … poured in a season-high 11 points, including 5-of-6 free throws, and grabbed four rebounds in 19 minutes against UNC Wilmington … scored eight points, grabbed five rebounds and swiped three steals in 16 minutes off the bench against Illinois … netted her first career points with a pair of field goals in just three minutes against Penn State … made her collegiate debut against Saint Francis (Pa.) and picked up a steal.

Tolliver Twist
Senior Lakesha Tolliver (Columbia, S.C./Dreher) is third on the team in rebounding at 6.5 rpg and is fourth in scoring at 11.5 ppg … became the school record holder for career blocked shots against Charleston Southern … has reached double-figure points in five games this season … grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds against Charleston Southern while blocking five shots in just 22 minutes … swatted away a school and Colonial Center record seven shots against UNC Wilmington … also led the team with 18 points and snagged six rebounds in a career-high 30 minutes … poured in a career-high 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting and added seven rebounds against Florida International … hit her first 3-pointer of the season as part of a 10-point, four-assist effort against Penn State … scored 13 points, including a perfect 7-of-7 from the free-throw line, against Buffalo … collected her first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Saint Francis (Pa.).