No. 1 South Carolina routs Arkansas to remain unbeaten

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Ashlyn Watkins had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead No. 1 South Carolina to a 98-61 road win over Arkansas on Thursday night.

South Carolina (28-0, 15-0 Southeastern Conference) stayed unbeaten with just one game to play in the regular season. The Gamecocks have beaten all but three opponents this season by double-figures. They lost just once – in the Final Four last year to Iowa – in the last 358 days.

South Carolina took control in the second quarter, starting the period on a 14-0 run to build its lead to 17 points. Arkansas (18-12, 6-9) was wholly ineffective offensively, missing its first eight shots from the floor in the quarter, seven of which came from 3-point range, and committing five turnovers in those 10 minutes.

The Gamecocks dominated on the inside, outrebounding Arkansas, 53-21, and outscoring the Razorbacks in the paint 56-22. South Carolina shot 61% from the field and limited Arkansas to 33%.

Maryam Dauda led the Razorbacks with 19 points, while Carly Keats and Samara Spencer each scored 11 and MaKayla Daniels added 10. MiLaysia Fulwiley (17), Tessa Johnson (12), Kamilla Cardoso (11) and Chloe Kitts (10) joined Watkins in double figures for South Carolina.

Notables

• The Gamecocks’ bench dominated the game, topping Arkansas’ total score, 64-61. All 10 players scored at least four points with five Gamecocks finishing in double figures.
• South Carolina owned the paint, scoring 56 points to more than double the Razorbacks’ 22 and account for 57.1 percent of the offense.
• The Gamecocks opened the second quarter on a 12-0 run, ultimately outscoring Arkansas 21-9 in the period, followed by a 14-0 run to get the third quarter going.
• Watkins had a career night, scoring a career-high 21 points with 13 coming in the first half alone, en route to her seventh double-double of the season ending with 11 boards.
• MiLaysia Fulwiley had a huge fourth quarter, putting up 11 of her 17 points in just five minutes on the floor to finish in double-figures for the 18th time this season.
• Tessa Johnson was a beast from beyond the arc, finishing with 12 points on a career-high four made 3s.
• Kamilla Cardoso scored in double figures for the 22nd time this season, netting six of her 11 points in the third quarter in just three minutes on the court.
• Chloe Kits finished with 10 points for her 16th game in double figures, scoring six of the Gamecocks’ opening 10-0 run in the second quarter.