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Home > SECWB News & More! > SEC Teams > South Carolina > Gamecocks Travel to Florida for Rematch
Gamecocks Travel to Florida for Rematch
by Marilyn McManus, SECWB.com
Posted: February 24th, 2008 @ 11:56am
Quite simply, the South Carolina Gamecocks should have won this game, the first time around–when the Gators were in Columbia. Despite giving the Florida team a substantial lead with cold shooting and too many turnovers, the Gamecocks rallied and had 3 chances to tie or win the game. Jordan Jones’ game-tying 3-point shot dropped through the net only a fraction of a second too late and Florida went home with a 60-57 win.
I see no reason why the rematch should not be very similar to the first game, with the exception (one hopes) that the Gamecocks will improve the quality of their play and give themselves more and better chances to put it away, this time. The Gamecocks still have problems with consistency of play; after a seriously intense effort at Auburn a week ago, they came into the Mississippi State game with nowhere near the same levels of effort and intensity. They were pretty much outhustled by a Bulldog team with hustle as it’s trademark.
It is never easy to win a game on the road in the Southeastern Conference, but that is what the Gamecocks will try to do on Sunday in Gainesville. The first game was close despite cold shooting and sloppy play; the same game plan–if WELL executed–should result in a Gamecock win. I know, I know: would’ve, should’ve, could’ve... It’s still true; the Gamecocks should have won the first game.
There will be a couple of differences for the Gamecocks: senior forward Lakesha Tolliver will be availabe to play and that should provide wome inside punch for the Gamecocks that was lacking in the first game. Both junior forward Demetress Adams and senior center Ilona Burgrova fouled out of the January meeting with the Gators, forcing Carolina to rely on their freshmen players for depth and relief down the stretch. Tolliver can now help with that effort. The freshmen played well that game and have gained a lot of valuable playing experience, since that time, but South Carolina would do well to have a variety of options available to choose from, as the end of the game draws near. (Also at the start and the middle of the game.) In the first game, with the clock ticking down, it was obvious that we would need a 3-point shot, and the defense knew exactly where to focus their efforts.
Freshman point guard Ashlie Billingslea is also now available to the team and she is starting to show signs of what she can do to help the team, despite being somewhat out of condition and not quite up to the speed of the game around her, as she continues to rehabilitate the knee she injured before the beginning of the season.
Florida’s Sharielle Smith was the leading scorer the first time around, with 18 points–17 of which came in the first half.
Jordan Jones, Adams and Brionna Dickerson lead Carolina’s scoring attack with 12.2, 11.3 and 10.1 points per game, respectively. Adams leads the team in rebounding with 9 per game, while both Burgrova and Tolliver provide solid contributions: Burgrova averages 9.7 ppg and 6.6 rpg, while Tolliver scores 9 ppg and 5.3 rebounds per game.
Expect to see the ball in the hands of the front line players, a bit more, this game. Adams, Burgrova and Tolliver should have chances to score a lot of points and, if the Gamecocks can limit the number of turnovers they make, they should leave Gainesville with a hard-fought win and a 3-9 record in SEC play.
The Gamecocks return to the Colonial Center for a matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs on Thursday, February 28. It is Senior Night and also the final home game of the season. Tipoff is at 7 pm ET.
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