South Carolina winning streak surpassed only by UConn

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Nov 29, 2022; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Zia Cooke (1) drives around UCLA Bruins guard Londynn Jones (3) in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

With Tuesday’s 73-64 victory against No. 15 UCLA, No. 1 South Carolina women’s basketball has won 17 straight games against ranked opponents.

No program but UConn has surpassed that winning streak since the 1999-2000 season — though the storied Huskies have beaten the 17-game mark four times, ESPN’s Alexa Philippou reported.

The Gamecocks’ streak looked in danger against the Bruins, as the teams were knotted 47-47 after three quarters, but South Carolina pulled ahead in the final frame to remain a perfect 7-0 on the season.

 

Aliyah Boston entered Tuesday as questionable after an injury sustained Sunday against Hampton, but she led the way with 18 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in 35 minutes on the court for the Gamecocks.

The senior has 65 career double-doubles, 32 of them coming against ranked opponents.

Zia Cooke added 12 points, two rebounds and two steals for the home team, while Kamilla Cardoso had 16 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.

South Carolina’s last loss against a ranked opponent came against Stanford in the 2021 Final Four. So far this year, the Gamecocks have three wins against ranked opponents: against then-No. 17 Maryland on Nov. 11, against No. 2 Stanford on Nov. 20 and against No. 15 UCLA.