COLUMBIA – She is quiet. The lackluster or newspaper clippings that, however, started all the games of his career.
It turns out that there is a reason why Dawn Staley keeps her in the top five.
Because Brea Beal deserves it.
The sophomore guard set his career record, 22 points, in the 104-82 win for the South Carolina women’s basketball team over Arkansas’s 15th place on Monday, just one game after setting his previous record (17) in a rout over Vanderbilt. She was 7 out of 11 on the field (3 out of 5 from the 3-point line) with four rebounds, two steals and an assist, and also went on to defend Chelsea Dungee, the SEC’s top scorer, midway through the second quarter.
Dungee promptly missed his next four shots and made a turn. She still managed hers with 22 points, but the Gamecocks (10-1, 5-0 SEC) were able to eventually widen the small gap created by Beal’s defense and defeat the league’s highest scoring attack.
“You say to yourself, ‘You are here for a reason, not just to stay here and look good,'” said Beal. “I gain my confidence in my defense. Be the glue. If their best player is leaving, now it’s my turn to turn him off. “
“Brea is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around. She had to play in the shadow of many different people, ”said coach Dawn Staley. “I know she gets frustrated from time to time, but what happens is that she never stopped working on it.”
Patience is not a useful virtue when playing Arkansas (11-5, 2-4), which emphasizes speed and a 3-point shot around the lethal dungeon, but the USC has its own heavy dose of speed and the All- American Aliyah Boston. Celebrating in a confrontation that almost seemed silly, the second year of 1.80 meters was on triple-double watch with three minutes to play in the first quarter and ended with 26 points, 16 bags and six blocks.
“My mentality of knowing the size difference is just taking my time around the basket. When post players aren’t my height, sometimes I just hurry, ”said Boston. “My mindset was to take my time and finish.”
Still, the Gamecocks were unable to put the Razorbacks to sleep in the bedroom, aided by Beal’s decision in the third. She hit the ball twice in the corner with the same possession, but hesitated to kick, trying to find a teammate.
The result was a foul, re-established and Zia Cooke drained a 3 to keep the lead steady. USC hit the uppercut to start the quarter with a 10-3 streak and started a crucial week on a strong note.
“It is a game within the game. With me, I was in my own head, ”said Beal. “It’s easy to score when you’re doing defensive things, little things, rebounds and rebounds.”
USC remains alone first in the SEC. Gamecocks receive No. 22 Georgia on Thursday and visit LSU on Sunday.
Gamecocks had 10 turnovers in the half that became 11 points in Arkansas. USC calmed that down to just three (seven points) in the second, but missing layups remain a concern.
“That’s just because we play too fast,” said Staley. “We have to be willing to take an open shot for a better shot, just so that we can configure our transition defense. But I am pleased and encouraged that we are moving towards an identity in defense and having some offensive balance. “
Looking forward
Gamecocks receive No. 22 Georgia at 6:30 pm on Thursday. The game was added to the schedule after the original game (January 7) was postponed due to problems with COVID.
Follow David Cloninger on Twitter @DCPandC.