Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

Miars sparks ACHIM HUIVT Sports Editor It looked as if the first two games of a three-game homestand for the Lady Gamecocks would be double trouble after the Florida loss Sunday and falling behind to non-conference foe Appalachian State Wednesday night. Hie Lady Gamecocks appeared to be sluggish in the early going of the Appalachian State game as South Carolina fell behind quickly to the Lady Mounties 5-0. The Lady Mounties kept the jW I 1 I jfflr a I j| Zf i<s. Hi ^sHm^I ^ -^1 9 ROBERT WALTON The Gamecock Lisa Willi sum goes up for a shot over an Appalachian State defender on Wednesday night at Frank MeGuire Arena. With the 76-6S victory the Lady Gamecocks improved to 9-7 on the year. ^ ^ Aerobics Free Weights IV w$ 925 1/2 Huger I THEV Additional $20 Discoi Payment in Ful WE! P YOUR ONLY ALT! * Lady Gamec (0(0 We were not upset at the half because being; down by as many as 15 early in the first half, we were only down by eight at the half. Nancy Wilson head women's basketball coach University of South Carolina momentum going as tney jumped to a 15 point 24-9 lead with 12:31 remaining in the first half. The Mounties attained the lead with a tough pressing defense and good outside scoring from Erica Mathies. The Mounties also owned the inside behind strong play from Tiana Tate who had eight first half points. The Lady Gamecocks made a nice effort at the end of the half as junior guard Heather Godfrey and sophomore guard Nikki Miars heated up from long range to close the cap to eight at the half. "We were not upset at half because after being down by as many as 15 early in the game, we were only down by eight at the half," coach Nancy Wilson said. "We did play better defense in the second half and just grabbed the lead and held onto it." The Lady Gamecocks made some good adjustments at the half and out-scored the Lady Mounties 41-20 in the second half. The second half comeback propelled the Lady Gamecocks to a 76-63 victory. South Carolina was led by Miars, who tied her career high with 27 points. The Mounties seem to bring II I I Bikes Steppers Treadmil Personal Training Indoor R luscle Dynamics and Hammei >se to Downtown and 233M3II Athletic C St. Columbia, S.C. 29205 r SELL E /' A XS/V SELLRI SteTl~lJU_ jfJPcUlUU L609 Blossom St. 254-52 ERNATIVE TO BOOKST SPO ;ock victory out the best in the Lady Gamecocks because for the last two years Shannon Johnson, alumna (96), set career highs in previous Lady Gamecock victories. "Appalachian State plays a very wiuc-upcn game uiat anuws uui guards to get some good shots," Wilson said. The Lady Gamecocks were not as fortunate Sunday as they hosted the No. 24 ranked Lady Gators. Carolina played the Lady Gators tough but were unable to hold on under the pressing defense of the La4y. Gators. Miars led the Lady Gamecocks with 18 points including two free throws late in the game to put the Lady Gamecocks ahead. South Carolina was able to beat Florida in field goal percentage for the game. The Lady Gamecocks out-shot the Lady Gators 51-34 percent. The Lady Gamecocks never led in the first half but Godfrey hit three consecutive three-point shots to make the Lady Gators' lead just one point heading into halftime. In the second half, the Lady Gamecocks fell down by as many as 11 points, but the Lady Gators got into foul trouble and South Carolina was able to capitalize. The Lady Gamecocks were able to get back into the game at the end by hitting some crucial free throws, but they were just not enough as the Lady Gators escaped with a narrow 66-62 victory. "It was an extremely well played game," Wilson said. "They did everything that we asked them to do." The Lady Gamecocks now stand at 8-5 on the season. They resume * Strength Machines usc I u b (803) 256-9001 ;ooks ORE EXCL^ HIS Things you n Well, it's great to be back in the swing of things. I hope everyone horl o Wir\for Rroolr onrl 11UU U U^llglll/lUl TI111IV1 X/1VU1V U11U didn't get too spoiled by nearly a month of home cooking. So, are you ready to get back into the swing of things? While you were wherever you were, the world of athletics went on with or without you. I took it upon myself to keep up with it all for you. Sure it was hard getting up at noon and watching Sportscenter and games, but I sacrificed myself for you guys. So here we go with a list of the good, the bad and the just down right ugly of what went on while you were away. First, let's start with the Gamecock hoopsters. After beating UNC-Charlotte in the first round of the Harris Teeter Pepsi Challenge, the Gamecocks lost to North Carolina in the final. They then got thumped by those Tigers from the upstate and lost to UNC-Asheville. Asheville is a team that lost to Kentucky by nearly 50 points. USC also dropped a game they should have won to Charleston Southern. Let's face it, the Gamecocks were awful in December, but the good news is they have turned it around. They have won five in a row and are the only undefeated team in conference play. After beating Auburn, Tennessee, Mississippi State and Florida, Carolina is 105 overall and 4-0 in the SEC. Mnro pnennraoriner ftinn ftioir turnaround is the fact that the Gamecocks look as if they've finally learned how to win on the road. the.e Is making Come in and i SALE! Sh Apt Nowr 613 Hs Next b A Store Mar Peebles Department Stc and homes since 1891. C assortments to small and by, a department store. V stores a year, we're gro If you desire a career ir community where you wi is a terrific place to beg Why Peebles Depar Successful training lea< and advancement oppo Peebles Offers You: Starting annual salary, Paid personal leave ? Please see your Universi representative will be ir Cav One i We are an equal op lay have missei After posting only one victory all of last season, USC has come up with two wins in their first two tries. Wednesday, the Gamecocks came back from a 16-point second half deficit on the road to defeat the Gators. In other college basketball news, longtime LSU coach Dale Brown is resigning at the end of the season. Brown basically called today's athletes spoiled. Go figure. As much as it pains me to do this, it's time to give give props to the Clemson basketball team Rick Bames has made this program into < a legitimate rinal r our contender, and, at 15-1, the Tigers are ranked ; third in the nation. But, they're still one step away from behind in the absolute elite class occupied by Kansas and Wake Forest. And my "Oh by the way odd ' factoid of the week" for this edition: Start the countdown because only 55 days until March Madness begins! Turning to Pro football, I'd like to congratulate the Carolina Panthers and their fans. You had j a great team this year. Even though they tost to Green Bay Sunday, don't be upset, be proud. In a way, I'm glad the Panthers beat the Cowboys. Although I'm the biggest Dallas fan around, I'm just as happy that the season is over. Starting with Michael Irvin's ] no contest on cocaine possession, it i was an ugly season... off the field and on. ] Leon Lett's second substance abuse failure got him a nice little 1 one-year suspension. Emmitt Smith * wasn't the All-Pro back he was in < the past and spent more time i nursing injuries than scoring touchdowns. And then there was the Irvin ^YT at/ / xtra n S M funnir tracks to a new lc ake advantage oj ! SALE!!Si oes 15-35% off!! >arel 20-50% off rhrough January irden Street in 5 j o Groucho's 799tager Trainees res has furnished fashions of the highest qu )ur niche has been to provide department st< medium size communities that do not have, or Vith 78 stores in operation in 12 states and pla wing like never before. i retail and a prominent position in a small ill be perceived as a leader in fashion and busin ;in your career. tment Stores? Js to promotion to Store Manager within 12 m rtunities Work alongside experienced, de $22,000+ Health insurance Life insur ? Paid holidays Purchase discounts Tu ty Career Center for more information about iterviewing on campus or fax/mail resume t( Peebles Inc. in Harper, Store Management Recruiter Peebles Street South Hill, VA 23970 FAX #: (804) 447-5453 Peebles iportunity employer and promote a drug-fret I i while away and Erik Williams "sexual misconduct case" that took place in the past few weeks. It turns out it was all for naught as the woman who brought forth these allegations recanted her stoiy. Irvin was adamant he was innnrpnf and aftpr t.hp Dallas Pnlirp dismissed the case, Irvin demanded an apology saying that it did damage to his reputation. I love you to death Michael, but your reputation couldnt get any worse. While I have a chance, I'll go ahead and give you my prediction on the Super Bowl. I believe Green Bay will win, but not by a lot. Ill go with the Packers over New England, 22-17. In the world of college football, the Florida Gators trounced Florida State in their re-match on Jan. 2. The Sugar Bowl victory sent the national championship to Gainesville. I know they're SEC rivals, but I'm happy for Florida, not because ot the notoriety it brought them, but the fact that it makes the SEC look good. In other bowl news, the SEC went undefeated in their five postseason games. LSU, Auburn, Alabama, Tennessee and the Gators all won to perfect the SEC's bowl season. It looks as if the college gridirop greats are taking the lead from their college hardcourt buddies. The top underclassmen talent are bolting for the big bucks. AVii/\ Qtofo mommAfk linomon vinu utatc niaiiuiiwi/n uiicmaii Orlando Pace, Florida State and Columbia native Peter Boulware, Gator speedster Reidel Anthony and Northwestern running back Darnell Autry are leading the way THREE-POINT PLAY page 19 mile... ig specialty shop )cation!!! r a storewide \LEll It ? ttt 31st joints 8841 I Ities - - ? u ? lality for families are merchandise are underserved ns for 12-14 more to medium size ess, then Peebles onths Growth ;dicated people ance 401(k) ition assistance I when a Peebles a: ? workplace.