South Carolina moves on to the Elite 8 as they roll past UCLA

Greenville, S.C.–There is a slogan in basketball that a lot of coaches use: “Defense wins championships, offense sells tickets.”  If the UCLA/South Carolina game was any indication, The Gamecocks are well on their way to another championship. UCLA looked to have a game plan to control the tempo, which they successfully executed in the first half.  The only problem was that the Bruins shot 24% and scored only 15 points going into halftime.

The combination of stout defense and rebounding by Brea Beal and All-American Aliyah Boston was the difference in moving on to the Elite 8.  South Carolina took advantage of their length on the offensive end as well as they converted 26 points in the paint and 10 second-chance points.

6’7 Center Kamilla Cardoso continues to be effective in the post, scoring 10 points along with two other South Carolina players.  Brea Beal gave the Gamecocks a boost in the first half by scoring all 10 of her points.  Reserve Brea Hall played inspired by chipping in 10 points off the bench.

South Carolina won the first meeting between these two teams earlier this year in November 73-64, and UCLA was confident coming into the game today. The Bruins chose to sag the defense to help out on Boston and Cardoso in the post. But that gave Brea Beal the opportunity to make her mark early.

Charisma Osborne led UCLA with 14 points as she was the only player in double figures.  No other player scored more than 6 points.  The Bruins finished the season 27-10, while South Carolina moves to 35-0 and will play Maryland on Monday night in the Elite 8.