Alabama
South Carolina
Alabama Hosts No. 4/5 South Carolina in SEC Home Opener on Sunday
1/3/2020 4:49:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Crimson Tide and Gamecocks will tip off at 5 p.m. CT on SEC Network
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama looks to get back on track when it hosts No. 4/5 South Carolina on Sunday at 5 p.m. CT in Coleman Coliseum. The Crimson Tide (10-4, 0-1 SEC) has won its last five games at home, while the Gamecocks (13-1, 1-0 SEC) are coming off a 99-72 win over No. 13 Kentucky on Thursday.
Sunday's matchup is the 41st meeting before the two programs with South Carolina winning the last 15 games against Alabama. The last time the Tide defeated the Gamecocks on Jan. 10, 2008, 65-54, in Tuscaloosa. A season ago, the Tide fell to No. 23 USC, 62-59, in Columbia on Jan. 6, 2019.
Promotion
• 2 for $20 ticket, hot dog & drink combo
• Postgame Autographs
Follow Along
• The game will be broadcast live on the SEC Network with Brett Dolan (play-by-play) and Mike Thibault (analyst) on the call.
• On the radio, Roger Hoover (play-by-play) and Gray Robertson (analyst) will have the call on 100.1 FM/1230 AM, while also being available on the TuneIn app. The game is also being picked up nationally on Sirius XM 374.
• Fans can also follow along via live stats on RollTide.com.
Opening Tip
• Seven different Alabama players average seven points or more. Redshirt junior Jordan Lewis is tops on the team (12.9), while junior Jasmine Walker is second with 10.4 points.
• Over the last four games, Lewis has been averaging 14.5 points per game, while shooting an efficient 50 percent (19-of-38) from the floor. In her last five games, sophomore De'Sha Benjamin has put up solid numbers off the bench with 10.6 points and 4.4 rebounds. Over her last six, Benjamin is shooting 62.5 (20-of-32) from the field.
• The Alabama bench has outscored its opponents, 472-236 (33.7 avg. - 16.9 avg), and in all 14 games this season. The Tide reserves leads the SEC in total bench points and bench points per game. The reserves have accounted for 46 percent of the Tide's scoring, with its third, fourth and fifth scorers in senior Cierra Johnson (9.1), Benjamin (8.1) and sophomore Brittany Davis (7.8) leading the way.
• Alabama comes in at No. 5 in the SEC and 21st in the country in free throws attempted, while coming in at No. 4 in the conference and No. 16 in the country in free throw makes. The team is also fourth in the SEC in free throw percentage at 70.4 percent. The Tide is No. 4 in the SEC in three different categories from the three-point line, including attempts (291), makes (94) and makes per game (6.7).
About South Carolina
• The Gamecocks' only loss of the season was to No. 17/23 Indiana, 71-57, in the U.S. Virgin Islands Paradise Jam on Nov. 28. USC has defeated four AP Top-25 opponents, including wins over then-No. 4 Maryland on Nov. 10 and against then-No. 2 Baylor on Nov. 30.
• USC is the top shot blocking team in the country with 8.4 swats per game. The Gamecocks are also in the top-10 in multiple statistical categories, including field goal percentage defense (No. 4), free throw attempts & makes (No. 9), offensive rebounds per game (No. 8), rebounds per game (No. 3), scoring offense (No. 9).
• The Gamecocks had the No. 1 2019 recruiting class led by Aliyah Boston who is putting up 12.7 points, 7.5 boards and a conference best 3.0 blocks per contest. Harrigan Herbert is just behind Boston with 12.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per contest. Guard Tyasha Harris adds 11.7 points and 4.6 assists per game, while Zia Cooke is averaging 10.7 points each time out.
• Head Coach Dawn Staley has made it to eight consecutive NCAA Tournaments, including winning the 2017 National Championship. In those eight appearances, the Gamecocks have made it to at least the Sweet 16 in seven of eight appearances. She has an impressive 458-178 career record including a 286-98 mark in Columbia.
SEC Active Career Leaders (as of Jan. 3)
• Points - Jordan Lewis: 941 (No. 8)
• Rebounds - Jasmine Walker: 432 (No. 10)
Ashley Knight: 399 (No. 12)
• Assists - Jordan Lewis: 330 (No. 2)
• Blocks - Ashley Knight: 196 (No. 1)
Ariyah Copeland: 55 (No. 10)
• Steals - Jordan Lewis: 118 (No. 6)
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