The Riverside Press-Enterprise
Top-ranked South Carolina routs No. 3 LSU in battle of unbeatens
LSU coach Kim Mulkey understands dominance and saw it again on Sunday.
“It’s South Carolina, in my opinion,” she said flatly, “and it’s everybody else.”
Kamilla Cardoso had 18 points and 13 rebounds, Zia Cooke scored 17 points and the top-ranked Gamecocks (25-0, 12-0 Southeastern Conference) stayed perfect with an 88-64 victory over visiting No. 3 LSU for their 31st straight win.
In the showdown of Division I’s final two undefeateds, it was no contest — something Mulkey has had experience with in the past.
Mulkey led Baylor to three national titles, her crown in 2011-12 coming with her 40-0 team. It won’t surprise her if these Gamecocks, already defending national champs, pull off that feat this season — especially the way they handled the rising Tigers (23-1, 11-1).
“They have things that we don’t have and a lot of teams in the country don’t have who aspire to be there one day,” she said.
That was obvious from the start. South Carolina broke out to an 18-2 lead. LSU cut things to five a handful of times, including early in the third period, but could not come any closer.
Aliyah Boston of the Gamecocks finished with 14 points and nine rebounds.
The game, billed as a showcase between reigning AP player of the year Boston and Angel Reese, quickly became a highlight reel of South Carolina’s experience, talent and depth.
Boston and Reese entered this with a combined 39 double-doubles this season. Instead, it was the 6-foot-7 backup Cardoso who collected double-figure points and rebounds.
Reese, the 6-foot-3 dominator, couldn’t get going against the Gamecocks’ withering inside presence, going 5-of-15 shooting for 16 points with four rebounds for her first game this season without doublefigure boards.
Boston, South Carolina’s career record holder with 76 games in double-figure points and rebounds, also came up short of that standard. Not that it mattered as she twice blocked Reese’s shots in the third quarter as South Carolina took control for good.
Boston was grateful for the attention that led people to fill the building and tune in on TV. Her team’s approach, though, was simple: “Ehh, it’s just another game,” she said.
The Gamecocks sure proved who runs things this season in the women’s game.
“When you have that type of commitment, you’re going to win games like this,” Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said.
Alexis Morris led LSU with 23 points.
NO. 5 IOWA 111, RUTGERS 57 >> Molly Davis scored a season-high 17 points, and Caitlin Clark added 15 points and 10 assists in the Hawkeyes’ home rout over the Scarlet Knights.
Clark picked up her 13th double-double of the season in just 21 minutes as Iowa (20-5, 12-2 Big Ten) set a program record for points in a conference game. It was also the second-most points scored in program history behind the 115 against Evansville earlier this season.
Freshman Kaylene Smikle led Rutgers (10-16, 4-10) with 28 points.
NO. 6 STANFORD 96, ARIZONA STATE 64 >> Agnes Emmannopu scored 17 points and Cameron Brink had 15 points and eight rebounds despite playing only 12 minutes to help the Cardinal to a lopsided road victory over the Sun Devils.
Emma-nnopu made five 3-pointers and Hannah Jump added 12 points with four 3s for Stanford (24-3, 12-2 Pac-12), which was 12 of 23 from distance.
Guard Tyi Skinner had 23 points for Arizona State (7-16, 0-14), which has lost 14 in a row.
NO. 7 UTAH 73, WASHINGTON STATE 59 >> Alissa Pili scored 15 points and Gianna Kneepkens had 14 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Utes over the visiting Cougars.
Jenna Johnson added 14 points and seven rebounds as Utah (22-2, 12-2 Pac-12) won its seventh straight.
Bella Murekatete led Washington State (16-9, 6-8) with 18 points and 14 rebounds. The Cougars, shot just 29% from the floor in the second half.
NO. 8 MARYLAND 82 ILLINOIS 71 >> Diamond Miller scored 31 points and the host Terrapins rallied from an 11-point first-half deficit to beat the Fighting Illini.
Abby Meyers scored 14 of her 18 points in the third quarter for Maryland, which improved to 13-0 all time against Illinois.
Maryland (21-5, 12-3 Big Ten) missed all 17 of its 3-point attempts but was able to rally thanks to its tenacious pressure defense.
NO. 17 ARIZONA 80, CALIFORNIA 57 >> Shaina Pellington scored 24 points, Esmery Martinez came close to a triple-double, and the Wildcats topped the visiting Golden Bears.
Martinez had 15 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists, while Cate Reese added 15 points for Arizona (19-6, 9-5 Pac-12).
Jayda Curry scored 15 points, and Ugonne Onyiah had 14 points and eight rebounds off the bench for Cal (12-13, 3-11).
NO. 25 COLORADO 65, WASHINGTON 43 >> Quay Miller scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Buffaloes’ home win over the Huskies.
Colorado (20-5, 11-3 Pac12) has won four games in a row and five of its last six.
Lauren Schwartz led Washington (13-11, 5-9) with nine points. The Huskies set a season-low for points in a game.