Gamecock notables
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The FAMS never disappoint, and their attendance for Thursday night’s home opener – 15,550 – made it the most attended game in the NCAA so far this season. Today’s match will top that, as it marks the first of five sold-out matches already announced for this season.
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With a win today, South Carolina would tie the program record for consecutive wins at 42, which is tied for seventh in the NCAA Div. I history. The Gamecocks’ first 42-game streak ran from March 18, 2022 through March 27, 2023. The current 41-game streak began on November 6, 2024.
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The Gamecocks have shaken off their unusual season opener, shooting 50.8 percent over the last two games, including a top-10 win over then-No. 9/8 NC State (Nov. 10).
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South Carolina ranks 18th in the nation in rebound average (47.7) and is in the top 30 in rebound margin (27th, +14.3) and offensive rebounds per game (29th, 17.0).
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Junior Chloe Kitts is averaging a double-double this season with 19.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per game while shooting a team-high 62.5 percent from the field.
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Sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley has been filling it up since the Gamecocks returned to the East Coast, averaging 15.5 points on 63.0 percent shooting over the last two games, including an 18-point performance against #9/8 NC State last Sunday.
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Senior Te-Hina Paopao remains a do-it-all player for the Gamecocks, ranking among the top 10 in the SEC in 3-point shooting percentage (.438) and 3s made per game (2.33) – and assist-to-turnover ratio ( 3.0) while ranking 17th with a rating of 15.0 points per game. These numbers increase dramatically when factoring in a tough season opener, where she averaged 18.0 points on 60.0 percent (15-of-25) shooting, including 50.0 percent (6-praise-12) from 3- point range, about last time. two games.
By the numbers
3 – Three different players have led the Gamecocks in scoring through the first three games of the season.
+20.0 – South Carolina’s bench has outscored its counterparts by 20.0 points per game (34.3 – 14.3)
+21.5 – After rebounding tough in the season opener, the Gamecocks have outscored their last two opponents by 21.5 per game.
The East Carolina Series
The Gamecocks hold a 16-1 series lead against East Carolina, with the lone loss coming in the first game of the series in the 1974-75 season.
The two teams have met twice in the Dawn Staley era at South Carolina, including last season’s 73-36 Gamecock win in Greenville (Dec. 30, 2023). Columbia’s own MiLaysia Fulwiley and Ashlyn Watkins led the way with 12 and 11 points, respectively, as South Carolina posted a 73-36 victory. The win was a dominant defensive performance as the Pirates shot just 19.4 percent from the field.
Home sweet home
The Gamecocks are 531-165 (.763) in home games (some pre-1976-77 records do not include the location of games). Current head coach Dawn Staley is 219-34 at home for a program-best .866 winning percentage.
South Carolina currently holds a program record 60 home win streak that began on December 17, 2020.
Playing in its 22nd season at Colonial Life Arena, South Carolina has a 282-67 (.808) record in the building, including four undefeated seasons since 2013-14. Staley’s share of that record is 216-34 (.864).
CK obsession
Forward Chloe Kitts showed flashes of her potential during her sophomore season, and after spending the offseason focusing on building her strength as well as her skills, she has exploded in her junior campaign.
She is the Gamecocks’ leading scorer and rebounder, averaging a double-double with 19.0 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. Her two double-doubles in as many appearances rank seventh in the nation. Her field goal percentage of .625 also leads the team.
After starting After 31 games last season, Kitts held her position again this season, leading the Gamecocks with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting against Michigan. Her career-high tying 14 rebounds included five offensive ones, and she immediately scored on three of them.
