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Home > SECWB News & More! > SEC Teams > South Carolina > Gamecocks Win, 78-69 Over Peach State Elite
Gamecocks Win, 78-69 Over Peach State Elite
by Marilyn McManus, SECWB.com
Posted: November 7th, 2008 @ 11:20pm
The Dawn Staley Era was kicked off last night with an action-packed, come-from-behind 78-69 win against Peach State Elite at the Colonial Life Center. No matter that it didn’t count in the standings, fans got what they came for: a glimpse of what Gamecocks women’s basketball will look like, this season and in the foreseeable future. It was a bit different than expected, beginning with the starting lineup of Demetress Adams, Brionna Dickerson, Jewel May, Lakeisha Sutton and...Lauren Falohun? Yes, Cocoa started the game and played 23 minutes (after having played 89 minutes the entire 07-08 season), scoring 7 points, 2 rebounds and 1 monster blocked shot on a Peach State player going in for a lay-up. Seven turnovers from her were a disappointment, but otherwise, Cocoa appeared focused and energetic and provided a harassing presence on defense.
It was no surprise that Adams and Dickerson were in there to lead the way and their senior leadership is going to be needed, all season long. Dickerson barely got a chance to breathe, playing 38 minutes and leading the scoring with 16 points. Adams scored a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Three other players, all freshmen, scored in double figures with 10 points apiece: Sutton, Miranda Tate and Sada Wheeler.
The Gamecocks had to work hard for this win. The visiting team had a 10-point lead in the first half, thanks to a huge advantage in the number of free throws attempted (18 for Peach State, 5 for the Gamecocks) and shooting 94% from the free throw line. But the Gamecocks turned up the effort a couple of notches and were able to climb back into the game, trailing by only 1 point at halftime 37-36.
Now, let’s take a brief timeout for just a few words about the officiating. I’m pretty sure I am not alone in characterizing it as poor, at best. And, despite the extreme difference in the number of first-half fouls that were called, I am not implying that the officiating was biased–just bad. There were phantom calls, there were missed calls, there were silly calls–something for everyone. This is nothing new, but it does make me wonder: is the NCAA ever going to take this seriously? Coaches and players are not free to speak about the problems associated with the quality of officiating and the fans are dismissed as biased whiners. Whose opinion does matter? I’m just asking...and now it’s down off of the soapbox and back to the game.
In the second half, Carolina gained the lead and held off a Peach State run to get it back. With less than 2 minutes left to play, Peach State got to within 6 points, but could get no closer as Adams and Dickerson led the way down the final stretch.
Unfortunately for the U.S.C. fans who were looking forward to seeing her, former Gamecock guard Stacy Booker was a non-factor in the game. She arrived at the bench shortly before halftime and entered the game immediately. Then, after a minute and a half of play (1 rebound and 1 missed shot) she went down hard--and got up, limping. Booker did not return to the game, but was stretched out on the bench for the rest of the game.
Kadie Riverin (Rice, 2008) led Peach State Elite with 23 points, including 13-13 from the foul line. Three other players joined her in double figures: Nikki Luckhurst with 13, Maurita Reid with 12 and Alisha Tatham with 11 points and 8 rebounds..Chinata Nesbit also had 8 rebounds for Peach State Elite.
Overall, the Gamecocks looked pretty good. With the pressure on, they never appeared panicked, either charging back from the 10-point deficit or protecting their own lead in the last minutes. The players appeared focused throughout the game, though there were a few lapses on the offensive end, when the action slowed to a crawl–until some choice words/screams from the bench got them jump-started again. A couple of players looked a tiny bit winded after a few trips up and down the court and there were a few enthusiastic errors (as opposed to sloppy or lazy errors) but the effort was solid and the chemistry is coming along. There is plenty of reason for optimism.
On the downside, Courtney Newton spent the game on the bench, along with Charenee Stephens (reportedly in Staley’s doghouse) and Tonia Williams. Newton has some concerns with her knee and will apparently be out for up to a couple of weeks.
The Gamecocks’ season opener is at Penn State on November 16.
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