Late Rally Falls Short to No. 1 South Carolina

Wednesday, December 15

Durham, N.C.

7 P.M.

Duke University

8-1,0-0ACC

South Carolina

11-0,0-0SEC

South Carolina

Duke

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Late Rally Falls Short to No. 1 South Carolina

12/15/2021 10:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score BOXSCORE POSTGAME NOTES PLAYER QUOTES LAWSON QUOTES GALLERY SOUTH CAROLINA QUOTES LAWSON INTERVIEW PLAYER INTERVIEWS HIGHLIGHTS

DURHAM – Fifteenth-ranked Duke (8-1) gave a valiant effort Wednesday evening, however, the Blue Devils dropped a 55-46 decision to No. 1 South Carolina (11-0) at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Blue Devils held the Gamecocks to their lowest point total (55) and shooting output (35.1 percent) of the season, but were unable to overcome an early deficit as they suffered their first loss of the season.

Freshman Shayeann Day-Wilson led the way with 17 points off the bench while graduate student Lexi Gordon collected a team and season best seven rebounds. Sophomore Vanessa de Jesus and graduate student Jade Williams tied for a team leading three assists.

Elizabeth Balogun drained a right-wing triple for the game's first points, but South Carolina dealt out a 17-0 run over the corresponding eight minutes to surge in front by 14 points. Duke was able to cut the deficit to 10 at the end of the first behind Williams' perfect trip at the charity stripe and Balogun's fastbreak layup.

The Blue Devil defense picked up in the second quarter and held the Gamecocks to just 33 percent from the floor. Offensively, Duke made half of its field goal attempts and registered baskets from junior Celeste Taylor, Balogun, graduate student Amaya Finklea-Guity and Day-Wilson. However, it was the visitors who held a 32-16 advantage at the break.

Five different players scored in the first half led by Balogun's seven points. Gordon dished out a pair of assists, while Taylor and Williams pulled down two rebounds each.

The third quarter went the way of the Blue Devils as Taylor, Gordon and Day-Wilson combined to outscore the opposition 15-10 in the frame, while the defense forced South Carolina into a 20 percent shooting clip. Duke emerged from the locker room with a jolt of energy and cut into the gap following an 8-2 run. Taylor got things started with a reverse layup then Gordon nailed back-to-back trifectas to pull the home team within 34-24. The Gamecocks created separation, but Duke refused to die down, cutting into the deficit on two-straight Day-Wilson layups and Taylor's shot from distance.

Five quick points at the start of the fourth got the Blue Devils within single digits, 42-35, for the first time since the opening period. After South Carolina extended its apex back to double digits, Day-Wilson scored the next eight points – including a four-point play – to pull Duke within seven, 53-46. The Blue Devil rally fell short on time, unfortunately, as the Gamecocks were able to hold on for the road win.

Aliyah Boston led South Carolina with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

Game Notes:

The Blue Devils held South Carolina to season lows in points (55) and field goal percentage (35.1).
Shayeann Day-Wilson paced the Blue Devil offense for the fourth consecutive contest.
Lexi Gordon pulled down a season high seven rebounds.
Duke had more bench points (22-15), assists (11-8) and steals (11-8) than the Gamecocks.

Up Next:
Duke hits the road for a two-game road swing at Miami and Charleston, before the Christmas holiday break. The Blue Devils will play at Miami on Dec. 19, before heading to Charleston Southern on Dec. 21. The contests will air on ACC Network and ESPN+, respectively.

#GoDuke