LEXINGTON, Ky. – Destanni Henderson scored 22 points and Aliyah Boston added 20, including 10 in the third quarter, to put South Carolina’s 5th position ahead and stay as the Gamecocks recovered 75-70 over Kentucky’s 10th Sunday night win.
Gamecocks were down 41-32 at the break and 54-46 at the end of the third before closing the quarter with an 11-2 run, including five from Boston, for their first advantage from the opening minutes.
Rhyne Howard (32 points) hit a jumper to put Kentucky 58-57. Boston and Henderson added four points each during a 12-2 spurt to open the fourth quarter that helped resist the late Kentucky rally.
Chasity Patterson scored eight consecutive points to put Kentucky 69-68. LeLe Grissett responded with a baseline drive, and Boston made a tray before Zia Cooke sealed with two free throws with 10.3 seconds left.
Boston also had 12 rebounds and seven blocks, while Henderson had eight rebounds. Laeticia Amihere made 10 bench points for South Carolina.
“When Aliyah Boston can play basketball in the Aliyah Boston style, you see what she can do – almost triple-double,” said South Carolina coach Dawn Staley of the second-year striker.
Staley added: “We just found a way to win and at a very good time for our team”.
First place winner, South Carolina (8-1, 3-0 from the Southeast Conference), won the fifth consecutive time just days after postponing a game against Georgia because of a positive coronavirus test on the program.
Patterson and Dre’Una Edwards had 12 points each for the Wildcats (9-3, 2-2 SEC), who lost their second consecutive game in four games against the top 15 opponents.
“Our margin of error is so small,” said Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy. “For three-and-a-half against South Carolina tonight, against (Texas) A&M, we played high-caliber basketball. However, small mental lapses have cost us and big teams expose you. To reach the next level, we have to be able to play 40 minutes. “
Gamecocks controlled many statistical categories, including rebound (46-31) and paint points (56-34).