Gamecock Defense Suffocates Norfolk State In First Round Victory

South Carolina's Women's Basketball team didn't play a complete game but swarmed Norfolk State with their depth to win 72-40.

Dawn Staley and South Carolina's Women's Basketball team started a new season on Friday, playing their first-round matchup of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament against the Norfolk State Spartans. While the Spartans indeed wasn't an easy out and played above their ceiling, the Gamecocks were able to slowly but surely pull away as the game progressed through their size advantage in the front court.

In the first quarter, Aliyah Boston and the Gamecocks attacked the Spartans 3-2 through their mid-range shooting, scoring six of their first nine points between the three-point line and restricted area in the paint. In the second quarter, however, the Gamecocks' efficiency on the offensive end took a hit, as turnovers and missed shots piled up and allowed Norfolk State to hang around a little longer. 

Despite the lack of success South Carolina had in spurts on the offensive end, things were a different story on the defensive end. The Gamecock defenders' length and ability to work around the Spartans' screens near the top of the key made life extremely difficult for Norfolk State's guards, as they shot 22.2 percent in the first half.

In the third quarter, South Carolina effectively ended the game by aggressively attacking the paint, utilizing their height to their advantage, drawing fouls, and opening up drive-and-kick opportunities for some open three-point looks. Overall, it was a collective team effort that led the Gamecocks to victory, as every player that took the floor, except for two, scored in some fashion, while seven of South Carolina's players registered four or more rebounds.

The Gamecocks will take the floor in the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on Sunday when they take the eighth-seeded South Florida Bulls at a time to be announced.

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