SafeX Pro Exchange|South Carolina basketball sets program record in 101-19 rout of Mississippi Valley State

COLUMBIA — South Carolina women's basketball set a new program record for fewest points allowed with its 101-19 rout of Mississippi Valley State at Colonial Life Arena on SafeX Pro ExchangeFriday.

The No. 1 Gamecocks (5-0) trailed for a split second in the opening minutes of the game before outscoring the Devilettes (1-5) by 40 points in the first half. The defense held Mississippi Valley State to six points in each of the first two quarters and started the third on a 12-0 run. The Devilettes combined for just seven points in the entire second half.

Senior center Kamilla Cardoso logged her fourth double-double in five games with 14 points and 10 rebounds shooting 53% from the field. However, point guard Raven Johnson had the most well-rounded performance with 12 points, eight rebounds, five steals and five assists.

Te-Hina Paopao makes statement return after injury

Starting guard Te-Hina Paopao missed the Gamecocks' matchup with South Dakota State on Thursday with an undisclosed injury, but the senior didn't show any signs of rust against the Devilettes. She had six points on two 3-pointers in the first four minutes of the game and hardly slowed down, finishing with 10 points and eight rebounds in just 21 minutes.

Paopao also had her best rebounding performance of the season, finishing with six — five on the defensive end — and a block. She had the second-highest plus-minus on the team at plus-65, behind only Raven Johnson at plus-69.

Gamecocks' outside shooting struggles continue

Despite Paopao's return, South Carolina struggled from 3-point range for the second straight game. The team went just 3-of-13 beyond the arc in the first half with two of the makes coming from Paopao, while freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley and sophomore Bree Hall went a combined 0-of-6. The Gamecocks finished 5-of-20.

However, the team made up more ground in the paint than it did against South Dakota State. The team had 34 of its 52 first-half points in the paint and finished with 72 for the game. The Gamecocks also went 32-of-44 on layups and seven players finished scoring in double-digits.

Forced turnovers fuel South Carolina defense

Mississippi Valley State gave up 19 turnovers to the Gamecocks' 15, but South Carolina capitalized consistently. The team grabbed nine steals led by Johnson's five and had 13 blocks led by Cardoso, finishing with 20 points off turnovers. The Devilettes scored just five points when the Gamecocks lost possession.

Johnson's best steal was arguably the play of the game: Late in the first quarter, Mississippi Valley State got a fast break and attempted a long pass in transition. The sophomore point guard sprinted back, read the pass and made a one-handed grab to bring the ball back to the Gamecocks' offensive end. It was her third consecutive game with at least five steals.

Follow South Carolina football reporter Emily Adams on X @eaadams6.