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South Carolina beats Tennessee for 2nd straight best routine season (1:34)
South Carolina beats Tennessee 76-68 to complete its 2nd straight best routine season. (1:34)
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ESPN News Services
Mar 3, 2024, 02:40 PM ET
Kamilla Cardoso had 18 points and 14 rebounds, Te-Hina Paopao scored 14 points and No. 1 South Carolina finished its 2nd straight ideal routine season with a 76-68 triumph over Tennessee on Sunday.
Cardoso and Paopao, both senior citizens, stood out on senior day as the Gamecocks (29-0, 16-0 SEC) won their 47th successive SEC regular-season video game, their 57th straight in your home and their 6th in a row over the Lady Vols (17-11, 10-6).
South Carolina is the first string to get in the SEC competition unbeaten several times, according to ESPN Stats & & Information.
An ideal season was not discussed amongst the group when the season started, Paopao stated, just a frame of mind to win each time gamers took the flooring.
“It wasn’t actually an objective,” stated Paopao, a transfer from Oregon. “It was simply, ‘We got to win the next video game and the video game after that.”
Rickea Jackson had a game-high 29 points for Tennessee.
Cardoso played in front of her mom, Janete Soares, and older sibling, Jessica Silva, after they showed up from Brazil. Coach Dawn Staley facilitated their arrival, with aid from U.S. Rep. James Clyburn, by getting visas authorized. Cardoso placed on rather a program with her household in the crowd.
She had 6 points and 6 rebounds in the very first quarter. After Tennessee took a 24-23 lead, she blazed a trail as the Gamecocks outscored the Lady Vols 17-8 to close the 2nd quarter and take a 40-32 lead into halftime.
When Tennessee cut a 15-point deficit to 63-60 on Jackson’s jumper with 4:51 to play, it was Cardoso who extended the margin with successive inside shots. Cardoso, who fouled out late in the 4th quarter, got a loud ovation in the sold-out arena as she went to the bench.
Cardoso ended up with her 13th double-double this season and 29th of her profession.
Tennessee coach Kellie Harper took pride in her group’s willpower in awaiting. The Gamecocks “simply do not have a great deal of shortages,” she stated.
The Associated Press added to this report.