Kentucky Wildcats at South Carolina Gamecocks
· SEC Tournament - Quarterfinal
No. 3 South Carolina opens SEC Tournament title defense with 87-64 rout of No. 17 Kentucky
Tessa Johnson added 15 points and Ta'Niya Latson 12 for the top-seeded Gamecocks, who raced to a 17-point halftime lead and never let up.
South Carolina (30-2) looked laser focused as it began its quest for a fourth straight SEC Tournament title and 10th in the past 12 seasons under coach Dawn Staley, shooting 53% from the field, forcing 19 turnovers and outscoring Kentucky 46-24 in the paint.
Amelia Hassett had 15 points and Clara Strack scored 13 to lead Kentucky (23-10).
The Gamecocks will play Saturday against former point guard MiLaysia Fulwiley and No. 6 LSU, which routed No. 7 Oklahoma 112-78.
Kentucky, the ninth seed, was playing its third game in three days following a 94-64 win over Arkansas and a 76-61 victory over Georgia with Strack combining for 53 points and 21 rebounds.
Whether or not fatigue played a factor, the Wildcats simply looked a step behind the fresh Gamecocks all game.
South Carolina raced out to a 44-27 lead at the half, using a big height advantage to dominate the paint 20-12 and a stifling defense to force 10 turnovers. Tessa Johnson provided the early spark with 12 points in the first half and Okot had a double-double before the break.
South Carolina kept its foot on the gas in the second half, using a 13-6 run to build a 24-point lead and was never threatened again.
The big lead allowed Staley to rest her starters for the majority of the second half to keep them fresh for Saturday.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks will play LSU on Saturday in the semifinals.
How can I watch Wildcats vs. Gamecocks?
- TV Channel: Wildcats vs Gamecocks 2021 College Basketball, week 18, is broadcasted on ESPN.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Recent Plays
| 4th 0:00 |  |
End of Game | 64 - 87 |
| 4th 0:00 | |
End of 4th Quarter | 64 - 87 |
| 4th 0:00 |  |
Kentucky Deadball Team Rebound. | 64 - 87 |
| 4th 0:00 |  |
Alicia Tournebize Block. | 64 - 87 |
| 4th 0:00 | |
Asia Boone misses layup | 64 - 87 |
Statistics
 UK |
SC |
|
|---|---|---|
| 25-58 | FG | 31-59 |
| 43 | Field Goal % | 53 |
| 10-20 | 3PT | 6-12 |
| 50 | Three Point % | 50 |
| 4-7 | FT | 19-26 |
| 57 | Free Throw % | 73 |
| 30 | Rebounds | 36 |
| 6 | Offensive Rebounds | 9 |
| 24 | Defensive Rebounds | 27 |
| 13 | Assists | 21 |
| 3 | Steals | 10 |
| 3 | Blocks | 4 |
| 19 | Turnovers | 11 |
| 0 | Team Turnovers | 0 |
| 19 | Total Turnovers | 11 |
| 0 | Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 0 | Total Technical Fouls | 0 |
| 8 | Points Off Turnovers | 25 |
| 0 | Fast Break Points | 15 |
| 24 | Points in Paint | 46 |
| 19 | Fouls | 14 |
| 3 | Largest Lead | 26 |
| 1 | Lead Change | 1 |
| 4 | Percent Led | 93 |
Game Information
Location: Greenville, SC
Capacity:
2025-26 Southeastern Conference Standings
| TEAM | CONF | GB | OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 15-1 | - | 30-2 |
| Texas | 13-3 | 2 | 29-3 |
| Vanderbilt | 13-3 | 2 | 27-4 |
| LSU | 12-4 | 3 | 27-4 |
| Oklahoma | 11-5 | 4 | 24-7 |
| Georgia | 8-8 | 7 | 22-9 |
| Kentucky | 8-8 | 7 | 23-10 |
| Ole Miss | 8-8 | 7 | 23-10 |
| Tennessee | 8-8 | 7 | 16-13 |
| Alabama | 7-9 | 8 | 23-10 |
| Texas A&M | 7-9 | 8 | 14-12 |
| Mississippi State | 5-11 | 10 | 18-13 |
| Florida | 5-11 | 10 | 18-15 |
| Missouri | 4-12 | 11 | 16-16 |
| Auburn | 3-13 | 12 | 15-17 |
| Arkansas | 1-15 | 14 | 12-20 |