COLUMBIA, S.C. — Chloe Kitts tied her career high with 21 points on 9-of-9 shooting and No. 1 overall seed South Carolina easily overcome the absence of starters Camila Cardoso and Bree Hall to become a No. 16 seed. defeated Presbyterian 91-39. Friday’s first round of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
The Gumcocks (33-0) dominated the Big South Conference’s BlueHose (21-15) for the second time this season, moving them five wins away from their 10th perfect winning season.
Next up is a rematch against No. 8 seed North Carolina State on Sunday.
The Tar Heels gave up nearly all of their 16-point deficit before defeating No. 9 seed Michigan State early Friday.
Kitts also grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, earning him his fifth double-double of the season.
Tehina Paopao scored 18 points and freshman Mylaysia Fulwilly added 17 points for South Carolina, which improved to 12-0 in its NCAA opener under coach Dawn Staley.
The University of South Carolina played without leading scorer Cardoso, who was ejected in the last game in the SEC Tournament finals on March 10 and served a one-game suspension.
Hall, who has started the past 32 games, appeared on the bench in street clothes.
A team spokesperson said in a text message that Hall was absent for “precautionary reasons.”
The 6-foot-7 Cardoso is expected to return against the Tarheels after being thrown out in the SEC finals for pushing LSU’s Frauge Johnson to the ground late in the Gamecocks’ 79-72 victory.
Fulwillie made five of South Carolina’s nine 3-pointers, with Paopao making the other four.
South Carolina moved on almost as fast as it did Dec. 16 against Presbyterian, defeating the future Big South Tournament champion 99-29.
In addition to Cardoso and Holout, reserve Sania Feagin scored six points in the first five minutes of the game, and SEC Tournament MVP Fulwilly hit two 3-pointers in the first quarter to give the Gamecocks a 23-10 lead. Spread it out.
Presbyterian could not match the bigger, faster, longer South Carolina and led 48-25 at intermission.
The Blue Hose advanced to this game with a 49-42 victory over Sacred Heart in the First Four.
Paige Kinseth and Tilda Sjoqvist each had nine points for the Blue Horses.
