Boston's 25th Straight Double-Double, Gamecocks' Record-Breaking Defense Propel Team to Round of 64 After Defeating Howard 79-21

  • Kyle Murphy
  • March 19, 2022
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Aliyah Boston and South Carolina dominated Howard in the team's first game of the NCAA Tournament Friday afternoon. By. GETTY IMAGES

Virgin Islander Aliyah Boston recorded her 25 straight double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in South Carolina’s 79-21 victory over Howard in the team's first game of the NCAA Tournament Friday afternoon. 

South Carolina opened the game by scoring the first 20 points and did not give up a point until there was 1:30 seconds left in the first quarter. The made layup by Howard eight and half minutes into the first quarter resulted in the team's only points of the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, South Carolina also held Howard to just two points and led 44-4 at halftime.

South Carolina limited Howard to single digits until there was just over nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Howard’s four points in the first half was the fewest points allowed in a half during an NCAA first or second round tournament game ever, and the team's 21 points in the whole game was the fewest points allowed during an NCAA first or second round tournament game ever.

Thirteen of Howard’s 21 points were scored in the fourth quarter. 

Boston had a game-high three steals and a game-high three blocks in just 18 minutes of play time. 

South Carolina will take on the University of Miami in the second round on Sunday. At time of writing, the game time or television network on which it will be broadcast had not been announced, though it is expected to air on one of the ESPN family of networks.

Miami has a record of 21-12 this season and earned its place in the round of 32 with a 78-66 victory over the University of South Florida. Miami made it to the ACC Tournament Championship game but lost to NC State 60-47. 

Boston broke the Southeastern Conference record in late February when she recorded her 20th straight double-double and has since recorded five straight double-doubles.

Earlier this week, Boston was named to the First Team AP All American Team and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-American First Team.

Friday's win was South Carolina’s 30th victory of the season.

 

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