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Home > SECWB News & More! > SEC Teams > South Carolina > Gamecocks Lose A Heartbreaker, 60-57, to Florida
Gamecocks Lose A Heartbreaker, 60-57, to Florida
by Marilyn McManus, SECWB.com
Posted: January 27th, 2008 @ 10:45pm
Source: View Box Score
It’s starting to sound like a broken record. The Gamecocks hosted the Florida Gators, this afternoon at the Colonial Center. The Gamecocks came out of the gate, playing well, but made too many mistakes in the first half and fell behind 33-20 at the break. The Carolina defense in the first half was not up to the usual standard: the Gators shot 50% for the half and Sharielle Smith led the way with 17 points on 6 of 7 shooting. She was 3-3 from 3-point range and got the other points on fairly easy layups. The Gamecocks, however, shot only 21% for the first half and had Demetress Adams pick up 3 fouls during that time. Carolina also had 14 turnovers in the half, resulting in 16 points for Florida.
In the second half, the Gamecocks fell behind by as much as 17 points before they started clawing their way back into the contest. And they did! The shooting percentages (except for free-throw shooting, unfortunately) increased, solid rebounding continued and the turnovers decreased just enough to make things interesting. A 13-0 run brought them to 33-37 at the 14 minute mark, then the scoring went back and forth until the score was 57-59 with just under a minute to play. At that point, the Florida team controlled the ball, but a steal by Jasmine Payne got the Gamecocks a chance to win or tie the game. They tried both. Ebony Jones spotted up for a 3-point try that rimmed out of the basket. Then she grabbed the rebound of that shot and put up a shorter jumper that just wouldn’t fall through. Florida’s Marshae Dotson grabbed the rebound, was fouled, and hit 1-2 shots to give Florida the lead 60-57 with 8 seconds to go. The Gamecocks ran the ball up into the frontcourt and into position for Jordan Jones to get off a 3-point shot. Unfortunately, that shot–which hit nothing but net–was released just after the final buzzer sounded. And the Gamecocks are now 0-5 in the Southeastern Conference.
As one would expect, the players were stunned by the final sequence of events. Jones fell to the floor, realizing that her shot would not count, and Brionna Dickerson, who fed her the ball, looked surprised and defeated. The fans in the stands, standing and screaming wildly during most of the final minute of play, looked the same.
Florida was led by Sharielle Smith with 18 points and 6 rebounds, Marshae Dotson with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals and Depree Bowden with 11 points and 6 rebounds. Aneika Henry also had 7 rebounds for the Gators.
The Gamecocks also had a balanced scoring attack with 4 players in double figures: Brionna Dickerson and Ilona Burgrova each had 12 points and 6 rebounds and Jordan Jones and Ebony Jones each had 11 points. Ebony also added 5 rebounds and 2 assists in her 17 minutes of playing time. Her entry into the game, in the second half, provided the Gamecocks with a lift, as she hit 3-6 from behind the arc and showed tremendous awareness and stability on both ends of the court. One of the big problems for the Gamecocks today was the absence of Demetress Adams, who played only 21 minutes and fouled out of the contest. She had only 2 points in that time, though she was able to grab 6 rebounds and have 5 assists, as well. However, she was manhandled by Florida’s post players and couldn’t hold her position on the offensive end of the floor. The Gamecocks sorely missed her scoring and inside presence and though Burgrova made a valiant effort to take up the slack, she too fouled out of the game–4 fouls were called on her in a 2 ½ minute span during the final 4 minutes of play. I know it’s not considered good form to criticize the game officials, but it has to be said that 2 of those fouls called appeared to be beautifully executed blocked shots and one of the others was a foul, but it was not committed by Burgrova. The replays on the large screens above the arena did not convince the fans otherwise and the calls stood, as they always do.
The Gamecocks, while their play has had it’s flaws, have been working hard and giving an amazing effort in all 5 of their conference games, so far. In most games, they have fallen behind and been unable to completely overcome the opponents’ lead in the second half. A basket here, a steal or a rebound there, and the Gamecocks could be 4-1 in the SEC at this point. They certainly appear to have the talent and drive to achieve at this level. They have shown tremendous mental toughness in putting these early losses behind them and playing each game with confidence and an expectation that they will win. Let’s hope that continues; it is only a matter of time before the work pays off in the first SEC win of the season.
Things are not getting any easier for the Gamecocks. They go on the road, Thursday, to take on the #9 ranked LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge. They then return home for a contest with Arkansas on Sunday, February 3.
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