COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) – A’ja Wilson had 20 points and 10 rebounds, Alaina Coates added 19 points and 10 rebounds and No. 6 South Carolina used its size advantage to put away Clemson 83-61 on Thursday night, its seventh straight win over its state rival.
It was the 21st career double-double for the 6-foot-5 Wilson and the 47th for the 6-4 Coates as potent a down-low duo as any in the game. The pair scored 12 of 16 points in the second quarter as the Gamecocks (8-1) built a double-digit lead at the half.
Wilson and Coates combined for six points when South Carolina came out of the break with a 17-6 run. The Tigers (8-2) could not respond.
South Carolina’s rivalry win streak ties the longest in series history, matching the run Clemson had from 1996 through 2001. Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley also improved to 4-0 over her former college teammates at Virginia, Clemson coach Audra Smith.
Wilson added four assists and two blocks while Coates added three assists, two steals and four of South Carolina’s season-high 11 blocked shots.
Nelly Perry had 20 points to lead the Tigers. They lost their second in a row after opening the season 8-0.
