Aliyah Boston ties SEC mark, No. 1 Gamecocks prime Tennessee

Aliyah Boston brings the work ethic and drive to succeed. She leaves the reward over her accomplishments to everybody else.

Boston had 16 factors and 12 rebounds to match the Southeastern Convention mark of 19 straight double-doubles as No. 1 South Carolina clinched a share of the league title with a 67-53 victory over No. 12 Tennessee.

She tied the mark of LSU nice Sylvia Fowles completed 15 years in the past and the Gamecocks (25-1, 13-1 SEC) gained their thirteenth straight to lock up the No. 1 seed within the league match in two weeks.

“Watching somebody do it at this stage, it’s like, ‘Wow,’” stated Saniya Rivers, Boston’s freshman teammate. “To do this persistently each recreation.”

Boston’s consistency to be one of the best has pushed her to this stage. She was an All-American final 12 months, however would’ve traded all her honors to make a brief shot within the nationwide semifinal loss to NCAA Match champion Stanford final April.

“For me to be proper there with (Fowles) is only a nice feeling,” Boston stated. “I see how she performs and the way sturdy she is and I simply wish to try this.”

Boston, together with her Tennessee orange braids, stole the present together with her newest dominant efficiency. She had eight factors and eight rebounds on the half, then hit a driving basket for her tenth level. Three minutes later, Boston collected her personal miss for the tenth rebound as the group of 18,000-plus cheered.

Tennessee (21-6, 10-4) was nonetheless in it, although, down 44-36 after Rae Burrell’s bucket halfway via the third quarter.

That’s when Destanni Henderson, honored as a South Carolina senior at her remaining regular-season residence recreation, rushed up the courtroom for layups on consecutive possessions. Freshman Saniya Rivers stole a move close to midcourt and went in for a layup to place the Gamecocks up 50-38.

The Woman Vols couldn’t reply, dropping for the fifth time in eight video games since rising to No. 4 within the rankings. Tennessee performed its first recreation with out prime scorer and rebounder Jordan Horston, who suffered a fractured dislocation of her left elbow in a loss to Alabama this previous Thursday.

Horston sat on the bench together with her arm in a sling. Burrell led the Woman Vols with 14 factors. Tamari Key, at 6-foot-6, had 10 factors and 10 blocks.

Woman Vols coach Kellie Harper like her workforce’s resolve with out Horston. They’ll want it the remainder of the way in which. “Nothing goes to be straightforward for this workforce the remainder of the season,” Harper stated.

Zia Cooke had 12 factors and Henderson 11 because the Gamecocks improved to 11-0 this season towards ranked opponents.

South Carolina placed on a nationwide present with a full home and ESPN’s School GameDay available.

The Woman Vols didn’t again down early and Brooklynn Miles’ bucket tied issues at 13-all within the first quarter. The Gamecocks then off on a 17-6 run. Henderson acquired issues began with a basket.

Cooke hit a 3-pointer and Boston had a pair of inside baskets. Henderson added one other from behind the arc and when Kamilla Cardoso scored, the Gamecocks led 30-19 to the delight of the group.

Neither workforce shot the ball nicely early. The Woman Vols and Gamecocks mixed to go 0-of-15 from the ground to shut the half.

THE BIG PICTURE

Tennessee: It’s laborious to see the place Tennessee goes this season with Horston out for what coach Kellie Harper thought may very well be weeks. The Woman Vols gave the impression to be on the rise earlier than their latest stretch and nonetheless seem like a recruiting class or two away from competing for championships.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks have gained or shared the previous three SEC crowns and may wrap issues up one win of their remaining two video games at Texas A&M or Mississippi subsequent week. It doesn’t matter what, it’s laborious to think about South Carolina not sweeping the SEC Match and heading to the NCAA’s as clear-cut favorites.

ORANGE IS THE NEW BOSTON

Boston stated her Tennessee orange braids weren’t deliberate, simply picked by her stylist the opposite day. Boston stated she by no means interferes with the choice as a result of she doesn’t wish to mess up her stylist’s vibe. When Gamecocks coach Daybreak Staley noticed it, she knew some would see it as a shot on the Woman Vols. “She allowed any person else to make the choice,” Staley stated with a smile. “And I do know she’s discovered her lesson.”

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Staley talked initially of the week about how Boston ought to get as a lot or extra consideration as different candidates for nationwide awards. Staley believes Boston’s efficiency within the nationwide broadcast will go a great distance in convincing voters who really is the sport’s greatest this season. “I don’t suppose it’s a debate a this level,” stated Staley, a two-time nationwide participant of the 12 months at Virginia. “She’s accomplished sufficient.”

UP NEXT

Tennessee performs Mississippi State at residence Thursday evening.

South Carolina heads to Texas A&M on Thursday evening.