01/25/26 04:10:00
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01/25 16:08 CST Latson, Johnson lead No. 2 Gamecocks to 103-74 win, ending
'Dores perfect start
Latson, Johnson lead No. 2 Gamecocks to 103-74 win, ending 'Dores perfect start
By PETE IACOBELLI
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) --- Ta'Niya Latson scored 21 points, Tessa Johnson added 20
and No. 2 South Carolina ended No. 5 Vanderbilt's unbeaten start to the season
with a 103-74 victory on Sunday.
The Commodores had won a school record 20 straight games to start the season,
but had no answer for South Carolina, which has won 19 straight over Vanderbilt.
The Gamecocks (20-2, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) came in off an 94-82 overtime
loss at No. 16 Oklahoma this past Thursday and right from the start took it out
on the Commodores (20-1, 6-1).
South Carolina went on an 11-2 burst less than two minutes in and gradually
built the lead to 21 points in the second quarter. The Gamecocks defense did
much of the damage, forcing 16 first-half turnovers against a Vanderbilt team
averaging 12.5 per game this season.
The Commodores gave themselves a chance right before halftime as Mikayla Blakes
had a three-point play with 3.5 seconds left and --- after South Carolina tried
a court-length football pass that went straight out of bounds --- Aubrey
Galvan's three as time expired to trail by 11 at the break.
Vanderbilt opened with two straight baskets in the third quarter to draw within
55-48. That's when South Carolina went on a 15-2 burst to take control for good.
Blakes, the SEC's leading scorer, had 23 points to lead Vanderbilt. She also
have five of her team's 20 turnovers which matched a season high.
Madina Okot finished with 17 points while Joyce Edwards had 16 to give South
Carolina five double-digit scorers against a team holding opponents to 58
points this season.
It was South Carolina's second league victory against a Top 5 opponent in the
past four contests after defeating fourth-ranked Texas 68-65 on Jan. 15.
Up next
Vanderbilt: Plays at No. 18 Ole Miss on Thursday night.
South Carolina: Goes to Auburn on Thursday night..
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