COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Aleighsa Welch scored 13 points, Ieasia Walker added 12 and No. 18 South Carolina played its usual fierce defense to defeat Vanderbilt 64-48 Thursday night.
The Gamecocks (14-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference), ranked third nationally in scoring defense at 47.4 points per game, held an opponent below 50 for the 12th time in 16 games.
Vanderbilt (12-4, 2-1), which had won nine straight, was averaging 71.9 points per game but shot just 26.5 percent (13 of 49).
After the Commodores took an early 7-4 lead, the Gamecocks outscored them 25-5 over the next 11:05 for a 29-12 lead. After that run, in which Welch had eight points, South Carolina’s lead never dipped below 10.
