South Carolina women's basketball ends regular season undefeated, beats Georgia
COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball completed the first undefeated regular season in program history on Sunday with a 73-63 win over Georgia.
The No. 1 Gamecocks (29-0, 16-0 SEC) celebrated its most successful senior class ever with a victory over the Bulldogs (20-10, 9-7) in front of a sold-out crowd at Colonial Life Arena. It was the team's 35th consecutive win dating back to March 6, 2022, and 41st in a row on its home court.
It was a full-circle victory for the Gamecocks' seniors, who went undefeated in the SEC as freshmen in 2019-20 and again this season. In four years at South Carolina, the group has lost eight total games and just three in the SEC.
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Aliyah Boston takes over
South Carolina star Aliyah Boston delivered in her final regular-season game as a Gamecock, picking up her 78th career double-double. Boston had an explosive first quarter, logging eight points in the first five minutes. She finished with 25 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
The senior had a spectacular shooting performance, going 9-for-13 from the field and 7-for-9 at the free-throw line. No one else on the team shot above 60% on more than two field goal attempts.
Bulldogs defense brings a challenge
South Carolina had a close call in its first matchup with Georgia, trailing by three at halftime. Though the Gamecocks led for the vast majority of Sunday's rematch, the Bulldogs kept things close, tying the game six times and taking the lead twice.
Georgia recorded seven steals against South Carolina, which gives up an average of 5.6 per game. The Bulldogs also held the Gamecocks under 80 points for just the 11th time this season and became the first opponent to do so twice.
Game defined by foul trouble and free throws
There were a whopping 46 fouls called in the game, 18 against the Gamecocks and 28 against Georgia. No opponent had been called for more than 26 fouls vs. South Carolina all season. Boston, who took until late in the fourth quarter to reach her double-double, sat out most of the third quarter after picking up three fouls, and Georgia had Malury Bates foul out plus two other players with four.
Because of the tight officiating, free throws became a difference-maker. South Carolina went 19-for-31 at the line, and their volume was enough to compensate for Georgia's accuracy. The Bulldogs went 18-for-19.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Aliyah Boston, South Carolina women's basketball sweep SEC regular season
