Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Carolina drops first two games ■ Womens hoops falls in close games to Washington, UNLV By JIM ROCHE THE GAMECOCK The UNLV Rebels edged out the Gamecocks 66-63 Monday night in the WBCA/BTI Classic at Bank of America Arena in Seattle. UNLV improved to 1 1 behind a 22-point effort from junior guard Sheena Moore, while USC dropped to 0-2 despite a team-high 21 points from sophomore Lauren Sims. The Gamecocks jumped to a 9-3 lead as they forced three quick turnovers off their full-court press. Sims had five of USC’s first nine points. The Gamecocks were rolling as they hit seven of their first eight shots, pulling out to a 21-11 lead with 13 minutes left in the first half. UNLV then stepped up its defense, holding USC to just 5-of-24 from the field for the rest of the second half. Trailing by just six points before halftime, UNLV closed the gap and tied the game up 32-32 at halftime. In the second half, USC and UNLV . changed leads twice before UNLV went on a 15-6 run led by junior Amy Loftus, who hit a bank shot to put the Rebels up 58-49 with 5:34 to go in the game. The Gamecocks then went on a 9-2 run of their own, coming back to make the lead 60-58 with 2:10 to go in the second half. USC would eventually cut the lead to 1 at 63-62 after USC’s Sarah Burgess stole the ball and hit a layup with 28 seconds to left. But UNLVs Moore was too tough, going 6-of-6 from the line in the last two minutes of the game, including two key shots with 10.6 seconds to go in the match-up that ELAINE THOMPSON/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS USC's Lauren Simms, left, and Iva Sliskovic go up for a rebound as UNLV's Amy Loftus looks on in the first half Monday at the WBCA/BTI Classic in Seattle. eventually won the game for the Rebels. USC went 8-of-8 from the line while UNLV was 23-of-29 from the charity stripe. USC shot 38.5 percent from the field. Sims had 14 points in the first half but was held to just seven the rest of the way. Sims was the only Gamecock to finish in double digits, one point shy of her career high. “Lauren is going to have more 21 point games. She’s going to be more of a focal point for our offense,” USC head coach Susan Walvius said. “She certainly is a real bright spot for us.” The Gamecocks also had a strong effort from freshman Melanie Johnson, who finished wfth eight points, six rebounds, two blocks and two steals. USC will host a home exhibition game against Everyone’s Internet at 7 p.m. Friday night at the Colonial Center before hosting Jacksonville on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecocksports@gmm.sc. edit ■ REVERSED Continued from page 15 lose to their respective top 10 opponents, the Gamecocks would most likely land in Atlanta against a Virginia or Miami team that would be an overwhelming favorite. Last year not only saw domination on the football field by the Tigers, but it also saw Clemson dominate in all other athletics. Clemson won the first seven athletic contests before Carolina finally came through with a victory in men’s basketball. Once again, 2004 is a different year. USC is 6-1 in competitions with Clemson this season with wins in men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, cross country, and men’s and women’s swimming. What does all of this mean? Could all of the coincidences mean we are in for another blowout in the Palmetto classic. Bowden doesn’t think so. “What happened last year hadn’t happened in a hundred years,” Bowden said. “And it’ll probably be another hundred years before it happens again. Almost surely it isn’t going to happen two years in a row.” Right. Surely it isn’t going to happen two years in a row. Or is it? Comments on this story ? E-mail ga7necockspo1rs@gwm.sc. edu SEC News & Notes Leak garners honors for USC blowout Florida quarterback Chris Leak was named SEC offensive player of the week after throwing six touchdowns against USC on Saturday night. The sophomore from Charlotte completed 18-of-31 passes for 319 yards in the Gators’ 48-14 win. Leak’s six touchdowns tie an SEC record for the most touchdowns scored against an SEC opponent. Leak now leads the SEC in passing yards per game (270.4), total offense (275.6), touchdown passes (27) and total touchdowns (29). Auburn defensive back Carlos Rogers was named SEC defensive player of the week for his efforts in the Tigers’ 24-6 win over Georgia. Rogers recorded eight tackles, half a sack, two pass deflections and an interception to lead the Auburn defense. The defense held Georgia to just 279 total yards — 153 below its season average — and six points. Rivalries to punctuate season in week 11 usc JHIm plays at rival Clemson in the 102nd game between the two schools. Clemson has won six of the last seven games against USC, including last year’s 63-17 ‘j rout in /, Columbia. ’IB Tennessee plays at in-state rival Vanderbilt as the Volunteers try to clinch the SEC East and earn a spot in the conference championship game. The Volunteers have beaten the Commodores 21 straight times dating back to 1983. Arkansas tries to pull to within one game of bowl eligibility in Starkville. Mississippi State has lost eight of its past nine games against Arkansas. The undefeated Auburn Tigers try to remain perfect against rival Alabama in the 69th edition of the Iron Bowl. Auburn is 4-0 in Tjjscaloosa and also won last year, 28-23, in Auburn. Florida goes into Tallahassee to take on Florida State in Ron Zook’s final regular-season game as the Gators’ head coach. Last year, Florida came back from anil -point deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead, but FSU won with a miraculous 52 yard touchdown catch by P.K. Sam with 11 seconds left. The 3-6 Ole Miss Rebels play at 7-2 LSU. The Rebels have won three of their past four games in Tiger Stadium. PHIL SANDLIN/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Florida quarterback Chris Leak threw six touchdowns Saturday against USC. Vefi^Onwireless "My girl's in town. I need a date / for her friend. You up for it?" I . . - V- .V. VERIZON WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS STORES <»!«*. COLUMBIA 7Q07-A Two Notch Rd. ORANGEBURG diiciijccc 173 Columbiana Dr. 865-6300 2718 North Rd. zH2525L. 749-4500 534-4150 CUSTOMERS *Our Surcharges (ind. 1.95% Federal Universal Service (varies quarterly), 45c Regulatory/line/mo., & others by area) are not taxes (details: 1-888-684-1888); taxes apply. Activation fees: $35/1 yr; $15/2 yrs. 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