No. 6 South Carolina powers past Auburn 60-41 (Feb 9, 2017)
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolina's A'ja Wilson and Alaina Coates were dominant once more in Southeastern Conference play. They'll need to find even more if the sixth-ranked Gamecocks hope to end one of college basketball's most remarkable runs.
The 6-foot-5 Wilson had 17 points while the 6-4 Coates has 16 to lead South Carolina (21-2, 11-1) to a 60-41 victory over Auburn on Tuesday night. Next comes No. 1 UConn and its quest to reach 100 straight wins Monday night.
''I guess we're excited,'' Wilson said. ''But we're taking it like another game, which it is.''
Although, it could history either way. Should the Huskies, who still must defeat SMU on Saturday, enter undefeated, the Gamecocks could halt the stunning streak at 99. If UConn wins at home, it would the program's 100th consecutive victory dating back to the start of the 2014-15 season and a loss to Stanford.
''We're preparing the same way, focusing the same way, just staying in our system and doing South Carolina basketball,'' Wilson said.
The approach has certainly worked in the SEC, where the Gamecocks are tracking a fourth-straight conference title. Against Auburn's tight zone, South Carolina used a deliberate, more patient approach in passing the ball around the perimeter much more until uncovering an opening down low for Wilson or Coates.
The power-post duo combined to go 15 of 20 from the field with 15 rebounds and three blocks. Each had an assist, on a basket by the other.
''I thought at times, our defense played good,'' Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said. ''But there's not a lot that you're going to be able to do when they throw the ball into A'ja and Coates.''
The Gamecocks won their seventh straight over Auburn (15-10, 5-6) and third in a row since Tennessee ended their 30-game home winning streak with a 76-74 victory in their last contest at the Colonial Life Arena.
Katie Frerking led the Tigers with 14 points.
Kaela Davis had 11 points off three 3-pointers for South Carolina.
THE BIG PICTURE
Auburn: The Tigers tried to do what they attempted last month at Auburn in facing the Gamecocks - pack up the middle. Several times, they had three players across the back line and the other two just a couple of feet in front to prevent entry passes to Wilson and Coates. But Auburn wore down as Wilson and Coates heated up.
South Carolina: There was nothing fancy in this one as the Gamecocks got out with a victory and little other drama in their final contest before traveling up to No. 1 UConn for a landmark showdown with the Huskies where they'll be looking to end that program's NCAA record win streak.
GAMECOCK PATIENCE
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley wanted to take more time on offense, perhaps with an eye toward shortening a game against UConn, an opponent which can overwhelm opponents in transition. Staley mostly liked what she saw, saying when the Gamecocks broke ranks, Auburn made them pay with a fast-break basket or two.
To that end, South Carolina backup point guard Bianca Cuevas-Moore played only five minutes and didn't get a shot off. Cuevas-Moore's specialty is fast-paced, high-impact scoring.
AUBURN ISSUES
The Tigers struggled against South Carolina's defense, finishing just 14 of 47 (29.8 percent) from the field. Two double-digit scorers this season in Brandy Montgomery and Janiah McKay were a combined 1 of 11 from the floor for three points.
''Those are part of our big three scorers and when they don't score, it becomes a really tough night,'' Auburn coach Terri Williams-Flournoy said.
UP NEXT
Auburn returns home to face Georgia on Sunday.
South Carolina travels to play No. 1 UConn on Monday night, potentially the Huskies' 100th straight win
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