AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Ashlyn Watkins had 14 points and 15 rebounds, reserve MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 15 points and No. 1 South Carolina overcame a slow start to beat Auburn 76-54 on Thursday night.
In a matchup between the top offense and the top defense in the Southeastern Conference, the Gamecocks broke through in the second half, going on a 13-2 run late in the third quarter to put away the Tigers.
Kamilla Cardoso added 13 points and six rebounds for South Carolina (20-0, 8-0), which out-rebounded Auburn 48-35.
Auburn's Honesty Scott-Grayson matched her career high with 31 points, but on one else scored more than six points for the Tigers (14-7, 3-5).
South Carolina has won its first 20 games in back-to-back seasons. The Gamecocks' lone loss last season came in the Final Four to Iowa.
Auburn bottled up the nation's lone undefeated team in the first half and trailed 27-22 at the break.
But the Tigers didn’t have enough offensive firepower to stay with the Gamecocks after halftime and finished by shooting 32.2% from the field.
The teams combined to shoot 7 of 26 from 3-point range in a defensive battle that featured 32 turnovers.
BIG PICTURE
South Carolina: After a stretch of improved shooting, particularly from 3-point range, the Gamecocks’ offense struggled to replicate that success early against Auburn. But South Carolina remained unbeaten by controlling the paint and taking advantage of turnovers.
Auburn: Less than three weeks removed from their win over defending national champion LSU, the Tigers fared better than most teams that have gone up against South Carolina. Auburn has a good enough defense to hang with any opponent, but offensive improvement will likely be key any postseason run.
UP NEXT
South Carolina: Hosts Mississippi on Sunday.
Auburn: Visits Arkansas on Sunday.
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AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
