South Carolina women’s basketball: MiLaysia Fulwiley sparks the Gamecocks’ win over Maryland

Behind a scintillating game from MiLaysia Fulwiley, South Carolina overcame first-half foul problems for a come-from-behind 71-67 win over Maryland.

Maryland had nobody who could stay in front of Fulwiley. Wearing her player edition butter-themed Under Armour shoes, Fulwiley scored 23 points to go with five rebounds and three assists, setting a new NCAA tournament career-high. 

South Carolina seemed hesitant for much of the first three quarters. Even when the Gamecocks got the ball in the paint, nobody seemed to want to take the shot. They often ended up settling for bad looks at the end of the shot clock.

So Dawn Staley turned to Fulwiley, and gave her one job: get to the basket.

Chloe Kitts scored the first 10 points for the Gamecocks and was well on her way to a double-double in the first quarter. She all but disappeared for about 25 minutes. Then Raven Johnson blocked a shot and then found Kitts running the court for a transition layup.

The layup put South Carolina up 59-58. Maryland would retake the lead on a layup by Saylor Poffenbarger, but the Terrapins couldn’t keep Fuwiley out of the lane, and she put South Carolina back in front.

Kitts added a free throw and Fulwiley hit another to put South Carolina up 64-60.

Maryland called a timeout with 36 seconds left. But South Carolina forced a turnover on the inbounds pass. Kitts added two more free throws to make it a two-possession game. 

Maryland had to foul to extend the game, and South Carolina made seven of eight free throw to clinch the win.

This is a developing story. Stay with GamecockCentral for continuing coverage…

Discuss South Carolina women’s basketball on The Insiders Forum!

The post South Carolina women’s basketball: MiLaysia Fulwiley sparks the Gamecocks’ win over Maryland appeared first on On3.