COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina got its first-ever win over UConn in a dominating victory that saw the nation's number one team top the Huskies 70-52 Monday night in Columbia.
The Gamecocks (23-1 overall, 10-0 SEC) had been 0-8 all time against the Huskies, usually coming out on the wrong end of a blowout. But in this game that history didn't matter: USC led wire to wire, and looked every bit the number one team in the nation.
USC was led by senior guard Tyasha Harris, who had a double-double of 19 points and 11 assists.
The contest had a championship game atmosphere, as the 18,000 seat Colonial Life Arena was an announced sellout before the game. And it looked like it, as there were filled seats in every section on USC's home arena.
Before the game, the school even brought out the fire cannons used as football game to give and added kick to the festivities.
While neither team came out hot offensively to begin with, UConn was especially bad, as a combination of USC's tight defense and poor shot selection led to 1-16 shooting performance for the Huskies in the first quarter, and just 2 points. USC led 11-2, ending on a 9-0 run.
UConn picked it up in the second, but South Carolina matched them and more extended the lead to 12 fora 35-23 halftime lead.
Harris led all scorers at the half with 12 points.
It only got better for USC in the second half. The Gamecocks found their groove offensively, scoring both inside and outside. At one point, the lead ballooned up to 21 points, but UConn used a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 13 at the end of the third.
USC, however, would outscore UConn 16-11 in the 4th quarter to seal the game.
South Carolina's next game is at home Thursday against Auburn.