Gamecocks advance to Sweet Sixteen with 76-45 win over USF

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina tied at 10 with USF after a block by Victaria Saxton followed by a lay-up by Kierra Fletcher with 4:06 remaining in the 1st quarter.

The quarter closed out with USF up by four points with a score of 16-12.

The Gamecocks were shooting 36% from the field with five turnovers and just two points in the final four minutes. Threes were falling for the Bulls.

Both teams kept up the momentum during the second quarter by continuing to go neck in neck during the quarter.

Zia Cooke gets a steal and hits both her free throws, the Gamecocks were up by three points.

Cooke led the way with seven in the second quarter of the game with under five minutes and Boston is behind her with five.

The first half of the game ended with the Gamecocks on top, 33-29.

South Carolina sits up at the half over USF, 33-29.

Cooke and Boston with nine points apiece after playing nearly the entire first half; Boston three rebounds shy of a double-double.

USC grabbed its largest lead of the game with 20sec to go, but Bulls pull it closer #Gamecocks
— Julia Westerman (@JuliaWesterman) March 19, 2023

Gamecocks go on a 6-0 run led by Zia Cooke with four as USF calls a timeout with 6:41 to play in the third quarter.

USC is on a 12-2 run over the last 3:05. A 6-0 run over the last 1:22. Zia Cooke adds to it with free throws after USF’s Carla Brito was called for a technical.

The Gamecocks ended the third quarter on a 13-3 run, leading the game with a score of 52-36 and one more quarter to end the game.

South Carolina pulling away at the end of the third, 52-36.

Bree Hall with the quick jumper at the buzzer, USC in a better groove in the second half.

Nine blocks as a team. Cooke leads with 18pts, Boston nine points, 10 reb #Gamecocks pic.twitter.com/TDp88284SI
— Julia Westerman (@JuliaWesterman) March 19, 2023

Aliyah Boston got the double-double in her final game at Colonial Life Arena. She scored 11 points and had 11 rebounds.

Zia Cooke comes out for likely the last time this game. 21 points, two rebounds, 30 minutes.

A crucial final game at the CLA #Gamecocks
— Julia Westerman (@JuliaWesterman) March 19, 2023

FINAL SCORE:

Make those travel plans — the Gamecocks are going to Greenville.

South Carolina advances to the Sweet Sixteen with the 76-45 win over South Florida.

They’ll face the winner of Oklahoma/UCLA on Saturday #Gamecocks
— Julia Westerman (@JuliaWesterman) March 19, 2023

USC is heading off on a trip to Greenville for the Sweet 16 after guard Olivia Thompson made the final score at home for the Gamecocks.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

No.1 South Carolina is hosting USF (University of South Florida) in its second round in the 2023 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Tip-off for the Sunday matchup began at 1 p.m. on ABC.

So far in the tournament, the Gamecocks have defeated Norfolk State on Friday, March 17, in a 72 - 40 win.

Good am, FAMS – it's another #MarchMadness 𝙜𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮!

vs. USF
📍 Columbia, S.C. / @CLAmktg
⏰ 1 p.m. ET
🎟 https://t.co/fo1yfmJdeD
📺 ABC https://t.co/5zcqifZgL8
📻 1320 AM / SiriusXM 137 or 205 https://t.co/bo694BIJxd
📈 https://t.co/BoutV9WcrA
📝 https://t.co/IgQeMKKK2p pic.twitter.com/XOv9G4kZxG
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) March 19, 2023

This was the first time the two teams ever met.

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