South Carolina women's basketball routs Maryland 114-76 behind Chloe Kitts double-double
COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball dominated its second top-15 opponent in seven days, routing No. 11 Maryland 114-76 at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday.
With legends A'ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston in attendance, South Carolina set a new program record for points scored against a ranked opponent. While Maryland shot nearly 50% from 3-point range, the Gamecocks (2-0) held the Terrapins (1-1) to 29-of-71 from the field and out-rebounded them 53 to 33.
South Carolina continued to lean on its passing with nine different players combining for 30 assists. Te-Hina Paopao led the Gamecocks in scoring with 14 points — 12 of which came from 3-pointers — and she and Raven Johnson each logged eight assists.
Freshmen impress in second ranked matchup
All three members of South Carolina's 2023 freshman class recorded points for the second straight game. While MiLaysia Fulwiley was the breakout star against Notre Dame with her flashy moves, it was guard Tessa Johnson who took over against the Terrapins. The guard finished with one of the team's most well-rounded stat lines, recording 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and a team-high three steals in 18 minutes.
Though she was less productive than her first game with 12 points and two assists, Fulwiley still had a highlight-reel play shortly after she checked in in the first quarter. She drove coast-to-coast, leaping between two Maryland defenders and switching hands in mid air to make the layup. Sahnya Jah also got on the board despite limited minutes, making both of her layup attempts off assists from the other two freshmen.
Kamilla Cardoso struggles to maximize size
After career highs in both points and rebounds against Notre Dame, it took 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso a full half to get going. Though Maryland's lone player taller than 6-2 played just two minutes, Cardoso took just four shots and logged four points and four rebounds before halftime. She was also a liability on defense, struggling to contain Maryland's speed on the perimeter as the Terrapins connected on half of their 3-point shots.
Though Cardoso finished 5-of-7 with 12 points and six rebounds, she also picked up four fouls and contributed limited minutes in the second half. Sophomore Ashlyn Watkins led the team in rebounds with 11 plus 13 points for her third career double-double and five blocks.
Chloe Kitts settles into starting role
The Gamecocks had a preseason battle for the fifth starting spot between sophomore Chloe Kitts, Watkins and junior Sania Feagin, and Kitts proved why she won the position against Maryland. The 6-2 forward looked completely confident, finishing second on the team in scoring with 13 points plus 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. She was also dominant on defense with a steal and a block, excelling in her one-on-one matchups and leading the team in defensive rebounds with seven.
Kitts was one of four Gamecocks to finish with a plus-minus over 20, but she led the team with a plus-27. South Carolina had seven different players score in double-digits, and seven of its 11 scorers shot above 50% from the field.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina women's basketball routs No. 11 Maryland in home opener
