COLUMBIA — With No. 2 South Carolina’s 86-37 win Sunday over Winthrop essentially decided in the first quarter, the only drama left was whether Alaina Coates could get the block she needed for the Gamecocks’ first triple-double in nine years.
It took her nearly the entire fourth quarter and four fouls, but the junior finally swatted one more shot with 18 seconds left to finish with a school-record 10 blocks, along with a career-best 29 points and 16 rebounds.
“We wanted it to happen for her. Obviously, you get a little antsy about leaving her in being up so big,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said.