COLUMBIA, S.C. The South Dakota State women hung around with No. 1 ranked South Carolina for a quarter, but the Gamecocks then flexed their muscles and cruised to a 78-38 victory on Monday night.
The Jackrabbits, who fell to 2-2 on the year, led 11-6 four minutes into the game. USC then went on an 11-2 run to close out the quarter and led 17-13 after the first.
SDSU then trailed 21-18 with just under seven minutes left in the first half. The Gamecocks would close out the second quarter strong as well as they outscored the Jacks 15-4 in the final seven minutes and took a 36-22 lead into the locker room.
USC picked up right where it left off in the second half as the Gamecocks opened the third quarter with a 19-4 run and led 55-26 with just over four minutes left in the third. SDSU outscored USC 6-2 in the final four minutes and trailed 57-32 heading into the final quarter. The Gamecocks outscored the Jacks 21-6 in the final frame.
SDSU shot 27.4% from the field and was 2-of-13 from three. Brooklyn Meyer led SDSU with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Tori Nelson had nine points, five rebounds and three assists.
The Gamecocks shot 43% from the field and were 0-of-12 from three. They were led by Kamilla Cardoso who had 23 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks. Raven Johnson had 18 points, six assists and five steals. Milway Fulwiley had 11 points, five rebounds and three assists. Ashlyn Watkins had eight points and four steals.
SDSU was outrebounded 52-39. The Jacks had 21 turnovers and the Gamecocks scored 22 points off of them. USC had 16 blocks. SDSU was 2-of-4 at the free throw line and the Gamecocks were 10-of-18 at the charity stripe.
SDSU will return home next. The Jackrabbits will welcome South Carolina State to Brookings on Friday. Tip off between the Jacks and Bulldogs is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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