Jan. 13, 2008
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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – South Carolina played No. 2 Tennessee even in the second half, but it was not enough to avoid a 71-48 defeat at the Colonial Center this afternoon. In front of the fourth-largest crowd in Carolina women’s basketball history, the Gamecocks (11-6, 0-2 SEC) out-rebounded the Lady Vols (14-1, 2-0 SEC) 41-33 and out-shot their opponent 41.7 percent to 40 percent. A spate of turnovers in the first half, however, put South Carolina in a hole from which it could not recover against the nation’s second-ranked team. Senior Ilona Burgrova battled the Tennessee interior and emerged with her first double-double of the season, including career-high 13 rebounds to go with 16 points.
The Lady Vols took off to a 9-0 lead as the Gamecocks looked to slow the tempo of the game early. Brionna Dickerson ended the drought with a mid-range jumper off the dribble. Five minutes into the game, Jordan Jones cut the deficit to 5-9 with a 3-pointer with one second left of the shot clock. UT went on an 8-0 run, spurred by four South Carolina turnovers, to take a 17-5 lead with 11:36 on the clock. Burgrova ended the surge with a lay-up off a drive down the right side of the lane, but it was the last time the Gamecocks would be within 10 points of the Lady Vols.
Trailing 37-14 at the half, the Gamecock ramped things up in the second half, matching Tennessee basket for basket. More aggressive defense, fewer turnovers and 50 percent shooting by the Gamecocks kept the intensity level up and the crowd of 7,841 into the game. Burgrova did a lion’s share of the work, scoring 11 of her 16 points in the second half. After not generating a steal in the first half, the Gamecocks swiped eight in the second period, including five from Demetress Adams who effectively played the passing lanes around UT star Candace Parker.
South Carolina out-scored Tennessee in the paint 28-26, but the Lady Vols turned 30 Carolina turnovers into 41 points. Four Lady Vols finished in double figures with Shannon Bobbitt’s 20 points, which included 4-of-6 from 3-point range, leading the way. Parker added 15, while Nicky Anosike and Angie Bjorklund netted 12 and 10, respectively.
Burgrova’s 16 points came on 6-of-7 shooting and 4-of-6 accuracy from the free-throw line. Adams finished with 10 points on 5-of-9 shooting and a team-high seven rebounds. Samone Kennedy handed out five assists, four of which came in the final 20 minutes.
The Gamecocks have a week to prepare for their next outing as they head to Mississippi for a 3 p.m. contest on Sun., Jan. 20.
