The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team took on the High Point Panthers this morning, in an oddly timed game, at 11 am at the Colonial Life Arena. The timing seemed to be designed to accomodate the local school system, as the arena was packed with youngsters for the game. Unfortunately, most didn't seem to follow the basketball action particularly well--but they definitely responded to the music.

The game was close for the entire first half, with neither team able to grab a substantial lead. The Panthers had one of their starters,  Frances Fields, in foul trouble very early, but the rest of the team was able to step up and keep the game close. The score was 30-27, in favor of the Gamecocks, at halftime.

In the second half, it was more of the same, but the South Carolina team appeared more focused and energized than they had in the first half.  Still, they turned the ball over too much to take a commanding lead until very late in the game. In the final 10 minutes, the Gamecocks seemed to wear down the Panthers and the lead slowly grew, until the Gamecocks held an 18 point advantage with just over a minute to play. Eighteen points was the final margin.

The Gamecocks managed to outrebound the feisty Panthers, despite the absence of sophomore forward Charenee Stephens, who was on the bench in warmups and sporting crutches. She appeared to be wearing an immobilizer on one knee.  With freshman center Kelsey Bone grabbing 9 rebounds and junior forward Jewel May contributing another 6, the Gamecocks won the battle of the boards by 42-26. Junior guard Valerie Nainima led the Carolina scoring with 20 points, followed by junior point guard Samone Kennedy with 14 and Bone with 13.  Kennedy also had 7 steals to lead the Gamecocks in that category.

The Panthers had 2 players in double figures: Shamia Brown with 14 points and LaTeisha Dean with 11. Mackenzie Maier and Ashlee Samuels tied for the rebounding lead with 4 apiece.

The Gamecocks will now take a break from basketball to concentrate on final exams. Their next game is Sunday, December 13th at 2 pm when they welcome the North Carolina State Wolfpack to the Colonial Life Arena.