COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 1 South Carolina lived up to its top billing as Auburn fell 94-42 Thursday night at Colonial Life Arena.
The Tigers (10-5, 0-3 SEC) struggled from the field and on the boards as the Gamecocks (15-0, 3-0) controlled the pace and were able to score inside, outside and at the free-throw line.
"I thought their size really intimidated us," Auburn head coach Johnnie Harris said. "We missed wide-open shots. We got to the free-throw line but we missed free throws. We didn't run the floor like we planned to run the floor. They had 50 points in the paint. We were in the paint trying to battle, we got some turnovers. But we were just outmatched in the paint. They run the floor and push the ball, and we've got our guards getting back on big post players. But we'll get back, we'll watch the film, and hopefully our kids will learn from it."
Sania Wells scored a season-high 13 points on her best shooting night of the year, going 6-of-8 from the field. Aicha Coulibaly added a team-leading 16, and Sydney Shaw scored 11 to give the Tigers three in double-figures.
Auburn shot 28.6 percent (18-of-63) while Carolina was lights-out at 64.3 (36-of-57). The Gamecocks controlled the inside, scoring 50 of their 94 points in the paint, and they controlled the boards with a 45-25 rebounding margin. The Tigers also had one of their worst nights at the free-throw line, hitting just 4-of-12 at the line, while Carolina was 15-for-18.
Carolina led 52-20 at the half on the strength of 67-percent shooting while holding the Tigers to a 26-percent clip. The pace slowed somewhat in the second half, but the Gamecocks still stayed above .500 from the field throughout.
Kamilla Cardoso led four Gamecocks in double figures with 16 points. Aliyah Boston added 13 and Victaria Saxton had 12.
The Tigers will return to Neville Arena Sunday afternoon for their first of two matchups with the rival Alabama Crimson Tide. Tip is set for 4 p.m. CT; it's Alumni Weekend as the Tigers will welcome back former players with a Saturday reception and on-court recognition at halftime. In addition, the Auburn eagle will be in attendance, and the first 300 fans will receive an All Auburn, All Orange t-shirt.
