# 1/1 SOUTH CAROLINA (3-1) IN # 23/18 IOWA STATE (2-1)
NOON | AMES, IOWA | HILTON COLISEUM
WATCH: ESPNU | LISTEN: 107.5 FM
ABOUT THIS GAME
This is South Carolina’s third straight game against a nationally ranked opponent.
South Carolina is making its third appearance in the SEC / Big 12 Challenge and playing on the road for the second time in these three games. Gamecocks are 1-1 in the event.
The Gamecocks and Cyclones have never met in women’s basketball, making the state of Iowa the second opponent that South Carolina will face for the first time in 2020-21. Gonzaga is the other.
Under Staley, Gamecocks are 77-62 against ranked opponents, including a 61-15 mark when they are ranked above their opponent. South Carolina has 23-21 against opponents ranked on the road under the command of the head coach Dawn Staley.
Sunday is the first real road game of the Gamecocks season.
USC Athletics Communications and Public Relations
GAMECOCK NOTABLES
Second-year playmaker Zia Cooke leads the Gamecock attack with 16.0 points per game and scored double digits in all games. Nominated for the watch list for all three national player awards of the year, she is also on the watch list for the Ann Meyers Drysdale Shooting Guard Award.
All-America unanimous preseason Aliyah Boston has become the focal point of defense for all opponents this season, and the sophomore striker is watching the movie and working on ways to improve her efficiency as the season continues. Despite the attention, she scored double digits three times in four games and is the team’s second in rebounds (8.5 rpg).
The Gamecocks 2019 recruiting class was ranked No. 1 in the country, and three of those five signatories began to polish their reputations last season. Laeticia Amihere needed more time to recover from the injuries that stole her from her last two high school seasons, but she exploded in her second season with her ability to affect play on both sides of the ball and in midfield, as well as in transition. She has two pairs and leads the team in the glass (9.8 rpg) and in the blocked kicks (2.0).
Junior Destanni Henderson is adjusting to be the main guard of the Gamecocks, balancing his dynamic scoring ability with the need to organize and facilitate the attack. She is ninth in the SEC with 4.0 assists per game and second in the team scoring with 13.8 points per game, throwing 43.2 percent of the field. She excelled at the Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic with 21.0 points per game, including a record 23 career points and a win over No. 21/20 Gonzaga (29 November) en route to the tournament’s MVP honors.
BY NUMBERS
Six of the 11 Gamecocks on the list this season were selections from McDonald’s All-America.
8 Eight Gamecocks have scored double digits at least once this season, including four that have at least one double double to their credit.
9 South Carolina’s 23-game schedule includes nine games against teams ranked in the top 25 of the preseason.
9.8 Second year student Laeticia Amihere averages almost a double-double with 9.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.
52.0 South Carolina is ninth in the country, with 52.0 rebounds per game. Gamecocks have outperformed their opponents in all games this season.
79.7 The Gamecocks are making 79.7 percent of their field goals in painting this season