COLUMBIA — There was no louder ovation at Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday night than when former South Carolina star Aleighsa Welch received her rings for last season’s SEC championship and Final Four appearance. USC could have used some of the Goose Creek product’s leadership on the floor as well.
The second-ranked Gamecocks found themselves tested by Elon in their final game before conference play, and tied with the Colonial Athletic Association program in the third quarter. But Tiffany Mitchell hit a 3-pointer to spark an 8-0 run, and Tiny Roy’s outside shooting helped USC pull away for a 78-63 victory.