South Carolina Dominates TCU with an 85-52 Victory
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — In a commanding performance on Sunday night, the third-ranked South Carolina women’s basketball team triumphed over No. 9 TCU, securing an 85-52 win. Ashlyn Watkins made headlines with her third career dunk, while MiLaysia Fulwiley led the scoring with 20 points.
Contributing to the victory, Te-Hina Paopao and Raven Johnson each added 11 points, and Chloe Kitts made her presence felt on the boards with 12 rebounds for the Gamecocks, who improved their record to 9-1.
On the other hand, Hailey Van Lith scored 21 points and dished out six assists for the Horned Frogs (9-1). Despite their promising start and being ranked in the top 10 for the first time, TCU faced a tough defeat against the reigning national champions. This loss followed their remarkable 9-0 start, marking only their second such feat under Coach Mark Campbell, who took over after a challenging season that saw the team finish 8-23 the previous year.
Amazing Athleticism from Watkins
Watkins showcased her athleticism with a highlight-reel dunk, marking her third dunk in as many seasons. The 6-foot-3 junior forward made the play after stealing the ball from Madison Conner past midcourt late in the first quarter, and with impressive speed, she completed the dunk with her right hand while Sedona Prince attempted to catch up.
Game Insights
The Gamecocks extended their winning streak to four games, with three victories coming against ranked opponents, following a tough loss to fifth-ranked UCLA that snapped a 43-game winning streak. This impressive stretch has reaffirmed South Carolina’s dominance on the court.
For TCU, despite the disappointing outcome, the Horned Frogs can draw motivation from their recent win over then-No. 3 Notre Dame, as well as their previous victory against No. 13 North Carolina State. The loss against South Carolina was played at Dickies Arena, only about 3.5 miles from TCU’s campus, adding context to a game many deemed to be historic for the program.
Key Moments and Statistics
A pivotal moment in the game came as South Carolina opened the second quarter with a swift 10-0 run, ultimately finishing the half with a commanding 44-23 lead. On the individual statistic front, Conner struggled with 7 turnovers and shot just 1 for 8 from the field, while Prince, who usually averages 19.5 points and 10.8 rebounds, managed only 6 points and 2 rebounds during her 33 minutes of play.
Looking Ahead
Next on the schedule, South Carolina will host USF next Sunday, while TCU prepares to face Louisiana Tech at home on the same day.
