Staley gets his 600th career triumph, and Gamecock WBB shares the SEC regular-season championship.
With her 14 points and 10 rebounds, Ashlyn Watkins helped the Gamecocks win even without their leading scorer and rebounder, Kamilla Cardoso, who was sore after defeating Georgia on Sunday and starting the game.
South Carolina maintained its SEC record with its 44th regular-season conference win and its 56th consecutive at home, demonstrating that it was not deterred by the absence of the 6-foot-7 dominator.
Just two of the first 19 efforts made by both teams throughout the opening five minutes indicated a good start. They were fortunate that the Gamecocks’ offensive rhythm began to flow, as they dominated the second quarter with a 22-5 run.
For the opening twenty minutes of the game, South Carolina limited Alabama (20-8, 7-6) to just five field goals and 15.6% shooting. South Carolina won the series for the 22nd time in a row after Staley took over in the 2008–09 season. Crimson Tide coach Kristy Curry attempted to rally her team with a few timeouts, but to no avail.
With 20 points, Jessica Timmons led Alabama, while Sarah Ashlee Barker, the team’s top scorer, was restricted to four points, 13 fewer than her average.
Tessa Johnson scored 12 points, and Bree Hall scored 13 for South Carolina. This season, Watkins has recorded seven double-doubles.