South Carolina women roll past Kentucky, 81-63

Although the No. 8 South Carolina Gamecocks have officially missed their chance to win the regular-season SEC crown, they kept a firm hold on second place in the league as they cruised past the Kentucky Wildcats 81-63 on Sunday afternoon.

A’ja Wilson, as usual, was the top performer for South Carolina, scoring 29 points and narrowly missing another double-double with nine rebounds. But it was also a team effort in this one, as the Gamecocks handed out 21 assists on 26 field goals. South Carolina also enjoyed an incredible 23-of-25 performance from the free-throw line, by far its best showing in that regard this season.

The Wildcats (13-15, 5-9 SEC) kept it close after the first quarter, trailing just 19-18. But it was all Gamecocks after that, even with Wilson getting a lengthy rest, and South Carolina had a 38-26 lead at halftime that was never threatened after the break.

Bianca Jackson (12) and Mikiah Herbert Harrigan (10) joined Wilson in double figures, while Ty Harris added eight points and seven assists for the Gamecocks (22-5, 11-3).

Up next: South Carolina closes its final homestand of the season against LSU on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.