South Carolina wins behind Wilson
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A'ja Wilson said she had one thing on her mind as she took the court after a nearly minute-long ovation on an emotional senior night.
It wasn't rebounds, even though she had a career-high 24 boards Thursday night in No. 7 South Carolina's 57-48 win over No 24 LSU.
And it wasn't the 27 points that made her the first Gamecocks player with a 20-20 since Shelia Foster in 1981.
"My first thought coming out was I hope my mascara wasn't running. So it was not the boards at all," Wilson said, laughing.
With the crowd, including South Carolina's athletics director and president decked out in fake pearls to honor Wilson's favorite thing to wear off the court, Wilson turned in one of her most dominant performances in her final regular season home game.
The 6-foot-5 senior scored the first seven points of the game as the Gamecocks (23-5, 12-3 Southeastern Conference) never trailed.
LSU (18-8, 10-5) kept the score close for most of the game. When the Tigers cut it to a single possession for the final time at 30-28 in the third quarter, Wilson scored on three of the next four possessions — and had an assist on another — to give South Carolina a 38-28 lead.
The crowd chanted her name after coach Dawn Staley called a timeout to take her out of the game with 27.6 seconds left.
Raigyne Louis had 17 points and eight rebounds and Chole Jackson added 16 points for LSU
The Tigers scored 22 points off 14 turnovers and only gave away the ball five times, but they couldn't overcome 32.8 percent (22of-67) shooting from the field, which included missing seven of 17 layups.
"You can't miss seven layups," LSU coach Nikki Fargas said. "I think we were really worried about Wilson's shot blocking ability."
Staley said she didn't shed any tears Thursday night. The Gamecocks still have an SEC Tournament and a national title to play for. But the Philadelphia-tough coach said she can't guarantee her eyes will stay dry.
"I'm probably going to cry next year when we don't have her," Staley said.
COLUMBIA, N.C. — Jordan Frericks finished one assist shy of a triple-double, settling for her 28th career double-double on her Senior Night, and No. 11 Missouri defeated Vanderbilt.
Frericks had 16 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 12 rebounds for the Tigers (23-5, 11-4 Southeastern Conference), who have won six straight. Amber Smith hit five 3-points and scored 19 points to lead Missouri.
Lauren Aldridge was 5 of 5 behind the arc for all of her 15 points, including Missouri's first three baskets of the game. The Tigers used a 14-point run to open a 35-17 first-quarter lead, their biggest quarter of the season. Sophie Cunningham had nine of her 14 points in the run and Missouri went 7 of 10 from distance and 14 of 19 overall.
Vanderbilt (6-23, 2-13), which has lost six straight, was led by Cierra Walker with 17 points and Rachel Bell with 16.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Caliya Robinson had 12 points and 12 rebounds, including the putback with 3.2 seconds left in regulation, and No. 19 Georgia pulled out a win in overtime over Alabama.
Gabby Connally had all five of her points in overtime, a 3-pointer to open the scoring and two free throws with 24 seconds left. The Crimson Tide missed all eight of their shots in the extra session
Mackenzie Engram led the Bulldogs (23-5, 11-4 Southeastern Conference), who shot 34 percent and went 1 of 13 behind the arc, with 16 points and nine rebounds.
Ashley Williams had 14 points and nine rebounds for Alabama (17-11, 7-8), which shot 24 percent for the game.
The final score matched the largest lead in the game, which featured nine ties and 16 lead changes. There were also 48 turnovers, 27 by Georgia.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Chennedy Carter scored 21 points and No. 17 Texas A&M scored its most points ever in a conference game, rolling to a win over Arkansas.
Jasmine Lumpkin had 17 points for the Aggies (21-8, 10-5 Southeastern Conference) and Khaalia Hillsman and Danni Williams had 16 points apiece. Anriel Howard had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Texas A&M, which had a 48-28 rebounding advantage.
Williams was the only starter not in double figures as the Aggies led 55-33 at halftime. A&M outscored the Razorbacks (12-15, 3-11) 36-14 in the third quarter to take a 91-47 lead.
Texas A&M made 14 of 18 shots in the third quarter, 5 of 6 from distance — where they finished 9 of 14 — and shot 57 percent overall. Arkansas shot 30 percent for the game and 6 of 27 from distance.
Jailyn Mason had 15 for Arkansas.
GAINSVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Freshman Rennia Davis returned to her home state and notched her seventh career double-double leading a balanced attack as No. 15 Tennessee defeated Florida.
Evina Westbrook and Jaime Nared had 13 points apiece for the Lady Vols (22-6, 10-5 Southeastern Conference), who gave coach Holly Warlick her 150th career win against 52 losses. Davis and Meme Jackson had 11 points apiece, with Davis grabbing 10 rebounds.
Tennessee scored the last two baskets to take a 32-28 lead at the half and then scored the first 14 of the third quarter for its longest run of the season. After a Florida basket, ending a string of 12 straight misses, the Lady Vols scored the last 10 to go up 55-30.
Four players had three steals as Tennessee had 17, the most in 10 seasons.
Paulina Hersler had 12 points for the Gators (11-17, 3-12).