Gamecocks' defense shines in win over No. 22 Georgia

COLUMBIA, SC --- Stop me if you've heard this before: Aliyah Boston led No. 4 South Carolina to another double-digit victory against a top-25 SEC team.

Boston, a sophomore, totaled 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 blocks as the Gamecocks defeated No. 22 Georgia 62-50.

Along with the win, Boston also made history on Thursday night. While she, along with other Gamecocks, has recorded a triple-double before, Boston's mark tonight was the first time the feat has been accomplished against a conference opponent in program history.

While Boston's offensive presence was felt, the Gamecocks' defensive efforts caused problems for the Bulldogs throughout the night. As a team, South Carolina totaled 14 blocks, 14 steals, and forced 23 turnovers all while holding Georgia to shooting 33% from the field with one made three-pointer.

Just as South Carolina's defense disrupted the Bulldogs offense, Georgia's defense would do just the same to the Gamecocks offense, forcing 20 turnovers. The difference however, the Bulldogs were only able to convert those turnovers into seven points.

South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley sees both positives and negatives in that, "The turnovers of course, holding them to seven points is great but we can't give them that many opportunities."

After heading to the locker rooms for halftime with a 12-point lead, the Gamecocks would take control early in the second half and expand their lead to 27 midway through the third quarter.

Georgia however, would not go down without a fight. Although the Bulldogs posted a 22-point fourth quarter, including a 20-5 run to close out the game, it would not be enough in the end.

Following the loss, Georgia Head Coach Joni Taylor acknowledged how talented of a team she thinks the fourth-ranked Gamecocks are saying, "South Carolina in my mind is the best team in the country."

South Carolina (11-1, 6-0 SEC) will travel to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers (6-6, 4-2 SEC) on Saturday at 1 p.m.