South Carolina’s Wilson steps up in quarterfinals
GREENVILLE, S.C. — With All- Southeastern Conference forward Alaina Coates sidelined again because of an ankle injury, fifth-ranked South Carolina needed a big performance to open the SEC women’s basketball tournament.
The top-seeded Gamecocks leaned on A’ja Wilson in their quarterfinal.
The two- time SEC player of the year had 18 points, seven rebounds and seven blocks in a dominant showing Friday to lead the Gamecocks in their chase for a third straight SEC tournament title with a 72-48 victory over eighth-seeded Georgia.
“This was very important, especially with post play,” the 6-foot-5 Wilson said. “We showed that we have a lot of energy, and it’s something we’ve handled very well. When we play with a lot of energy, we come out very fast.”
That was certainly the case against Georgia (16-15) as South Carolina ( 25- 4) built a 20-point lead midway through the second quarter. The Lady Bulldogs were 6-for-31 from the field in the first half and trailed 42-16 at the break.
It was the second time in three games Coates sat out with a sprained right ankle. South Carolina won 80- 64 at Texas A& M on Feb. 23 without her.
“I think they’re just a resilient group,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “Whatever’s thrown their way, they handle it all season long. It’s the mark of a really good team that’s able to take advantage of those adverse moments.”
Allisha Gray had 17 points and sophomore Doniyah Cliney a careerhigh 11 for the Gamecocks. Coates’ replacement in the starting lineup, 6-2 freshman Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, had five points and a career-best 10 rebounds.
Staley said she hopes to have Coates back for today’s semifinal against 20th-ranked, fourth-seeded Kentucky.
Pachis Roberts, who led Georgia (16-15) with 15 points on 4-of-17 shooting, said the Gamecocks sped up the pace and took the Lady Bulldogs out of their rhythm.
“It was hard to get back from that,” she said.
Georgia coach Joni Taylor said she won’t spend much time worrying whether her team — which reached the quarterfinals with a victory against Auburn — belongs in the NCAA tournament.
“After yesterday, you feel pretty good,” Taylor said.
› Kentucky 65, Alabama 55: Evelyn Akhator scored 23 points to help Kentucky reach the tournament semifinals for the eighth straight season.
Akhator also had nine rebounds, three assists and a steal to lift the Wildcats (219), who broke open a close game in the third quarter with a 10-3 burst. Makayla Epps added 12 points, while Alyssa Rice and Maci Morris had 11 apiece.
Hannah Cook scored 22
points, including six 3-pointers, to lead 12th-seeded Alabama (19-13).
› Mississippi State 78,
LSU 61: Teaira McCowan scored 13 of her 15 points in the final 13 minutes to help lead sixth- ranked, second- seeded Mississippi State to the tourney semifinals for the second consecutive season.
The Bulldogs ( 28- 3) trailed 39-37 with less than three minutes to play in the third quarter when the 6-foot-7 McCowan, voted the conference’s sixth woman of the year, and fellow reserve Ketara Chapel fueled a 21-12 run over the next eight minutes. Mississippi State needed every bit of their inside play as AllSEC first- team selection Victoria Vivians was held to five points — the first time in 24 games she did not reach double figures.
Raigyne Moncrief, the SEC’s defensive player of the year, scored a careerhigh 25 points for LSU (20-11).
Morgan Williams led the Bulldogs with 21 and Chapel added 10, all in the second half.
› Texas A& M 62, Missouri 48: Anriel Howard had 19 points, nine rebounds, four steals and an assist to lead the sixth- seeded Aggies into the semifinals.
Taylor Cooper added 16 points and Danni Williams 12 for the Aggies ( 21-10), who face Mississippi State tonight. Sierra Michaelis scored 15 points and Sophie Cunningham 13 for 23rd-ranked, third-seeded Missouri (21-10).