South Carolina overcame a slow start on Sunday to take down No. 5 UConn and remain unbeaten.
The rematch of last year’s national championship game delivered as advertised, with UConn giving No. 1 South Carolina everything it could handle. UConn jumped out to a 25-14 lead in the first quarter before being outscored 20-9 in the second quarter, and outscored in the second half by five points.
“Kamilla [Cardoso] was the switch,” Boston said of what changed between the first and second quarters, noting that the atmosphere at UConn — with a crowd of 15,564 fans — was electric.
“It was a great atmosphere. It almost felt like we were back in the tournament.”
Head coach Dawn Staley echoed the statement, calling it a “national championship-like game.”
Aliyah Boston had a season-high 26 points and added 10 rebounds in the 81-77 win while Cardoso had 17 points and 11 rebounds off the bench before fouling out.
Aaliyah Edwards led UConn with 25 points while three other Huskies scored in double-digits. Edwards, Nika Mühl and Lou Lopez-Sénéchal all got into foul trouble, with Lopez-Sénéchal and Mühl fouling out.
SOUTH CAROLINA TAKES DOWN UCONN IN THEIR HOUSE 😤 @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/5FhwT5yCPf— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) February 5, 2023
SOUTH CAROLINA TAKES DOWN UCONN IN THEIR HOUSE 😤 @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/5FhwT5yCPf
A number of high-profile fans were in attendance for the sold-out top-five matchup, including UConn alums Sue Bird and Jennifer Rizzotti.
UConn legends @S10Bird and @JenRizzotti are in the house today 👀 pic.twitter.com/y6iOu3eEyJ— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) February 5, 2023
UConn legends @S10Bird and @JenRizzotti are in the house today 👀 pic.twitter.com/y6iOu3eEyJ