Boston, No 1 Gamecocks take SEC title, top Georgia 73-63

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — “The Freshies” have had awinning impact on South Carolina, one coach Dawn Staley believeswill last long after they leave campus.

“We’ve had leaders leave a legacy of leadership,” Staley saidSunday after her top-ranked team’s 73-63 victory over Georgia.“It’s still intact.”

And has more yet to accomplish.

The group of five led by reigning AP national player of the yearAliyah Boston and high-scoring Zia Cooke (they’ve called themselves“The Freshies” since arriving as the country’s No. 1 recruitingclass) has helped the Gamecocks win three Southeastern Conferencetitles, two league tournament crowns and last year’s NCAAchampionship.

Boston had her 78th career double-double with 25 points and 11rebounds, and Cooke had 10 of her 12 points in the first half asthe Gamecocks (29-0) completed a perfect, 16-0 SEC season.

The quintet, which also includes Brea Beal, Laeticia Amihere andOlivia Thompson, has a 122-8 record the past four years and has won35 straight games since its last loss to Kentucky at the SECTournament a year ago.

Boston and her teammates hope to avenge that and add to theirtrophy collection this coming week.

“There’s definitely no relief” after their flawless regularseason, she said. “Now, were into the season where winning is theonly option.”

Kamilla Cardoso, the Gamecocks’ 6-foot-7 reserve, also had adouble-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Georgia (20-10, 9-7) kept things uncomfortably close into thesecond quarter before the Gamecocks pulled away for their 17thstraight victory in the series.

Georgia frustrated South Carolina nearly two months ago, holdingBoston to four points and five boards in a 68-51 loss on Jan.2.

The Bulldogs defense was at it again, this time limiting justabout every other Gamecock besides Boston to stay within armslength of the defending national champions. Diamond Battles’ basketwith 5:58 to go before the half tied things at 25.

South Carolina dialed up its own defense for a 10-2 run the restof the half to take control. The Gamecocks forced three turnoversand Georgia missed its five attempts during the four-minutespan.

Cooke opened the surge with a driving bucket and closed it witha three as the Gamecocks lead 35-27 at the break.

South Carolina used its dominating height advantage — Cardososcored all her points the final 20 minutes — to maintain adouble-figure lead for much of the second half.

Georgia came in with a five-game win streak, but fell to 0-4this season against ranked opponents. Battles led the Bulldogs with20 points.

Bulldogs first-year coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson was proudof her team’s fight and said this doesn’t diminish in how they’vegelled the past month.

“Their personality is now becoming my personality,” she said.“Which I love that. They’ve got to be fighters and they’ve got tobe tough.”

BIG PICTURE

Georgia: The Bulldogs had no offensive rebounds in the first 20minutes against South Carolina, which is second nationally ingrabbing its opponents misses with more than 31 a game this season.Georgia entered this game fifth in SEC offensive rebounding pergame at 13.3.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks were stunned by Kentucky in lastyear’s SEC Tournament finals. But it’s hard to imagine SouthCarolina’s versatile, talented roster letting up after the waythey’ve handled the challenges of being No. 1 and remainingundefeated.

SENIOR TEARS

Aliyah Boston had her emotions on display as South Carolina’sseven seniors were celebrated at Senior Day. Boston cried severaltimes, including on video as she discussed her time at school in ataped message to fans. When Boston cried in the tunnel before theceremony, she got a bit of coaching from Staley, “It’s too early,”Boston recalled.

UP NEXT

Georgia starts SEC Tournament play on Thursday.

South Carolina, the top seed, begins play in Friday’squarterfinals.