CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Te-Hina Paopao led the way for the top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks with 23 points, while MiLaysia Fulwiley contributed 18 points coming off the bench, enabling the team to secure a significant 71-57 win against the ninth-ranked North Carolina State in the Ally Tipoff held at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center on Sunday.
Paopao and Fulwiley were particularly effective, combining for an impressive 18 of 30 from the field, as the Gamecocks ended up shooting 50% overall.
Zamareya Jones and Aziaha James were key contributors for NC State, scoring 16 and 13 points, respectively, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Gamecocks’ solid performance.
The turning point in the game came during a 14-5 run by South Carolina in the latter stages of the second quarter, powered by Fulwiley, which gave them a 39-30 advantage at halftime.
As the third quarter unfolded, Paopao hit a 3-pointer and followed it with a floater, extending the Gamecocks’ lead to 12. They maintained command throughout the remainder of the game, with Bree Hall’s driving layup increasing the lead to 20 points with just under three minutes left in the third quarter.
Although the Wolfpack managed to narrow the deficit to seven points with 4:32 remaining, they were unable to fully recover and complete the comeback.
In analyzing the match, South Carolina showcased impressive ball movement, particularly with their interior passes that led to easy layups, demonstrating their championship qualities in the latter part of the game.
In contrast, NC State struggled, as they lacked the requisite size and athleticism to match up with the top-tier Gamecocks.
A significant moment that stood out was Ashlyn Watkins’ re-entry into the game after she received a warm welcome from the crowd during the first quarter. This marked her return after charges of assault and kidnapping were dismissed, following a suspension from team activities that began after her arrest on August 31. She was still able to attend classes during this period.
Rebounding statistics showed South Carolina’s dominance, as they outperformed NC State on the boards with a 40-25 advantage.
Looking ahead, NC State is set to host Kent State on Thursday night, while South Carolina will welcome Coppin State also on Thursday.