By james art 
LAS VEGAS — No. 1 South Carolina had no answer for Wolverines freshman Syla Swords.
In the season opener against the Gamecocks, the Michigan women’s basketball team ended up falling to the defending national champions on Monday. But despite the Wolverines’ loss, their performance in the early season contest showed the potential of their highly touted freshman class, especially Swords.
“Golly, I’m happy to have her in our program,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said. “She’s just a competitor. I’ve never seen anything like it. She is ruthless.
Indeed, against South Carolina, the Swords came out firing, coming away with a 27-point, 12-rebound double-double. The stat makes Swords one of only three players to ever register such numbers against South Carolina in the past decade — and she did it in her collegiate debut.
Swords were a key component of Michigan’s plan to come out of transition. Sprinting down the court on a fast break in the first quarter, senior guard Jordan Hobbs saw an opportunity in Swords. Deftly slipping the ball behind the Gamecocks defender, Hobbs successfully connected with Swords, who made her way into the paint for a quick layup.
It was plays like these that ultimately characterized Swords’ key role in the Wolverines’ offense. Using the entire court, Swords was constantly moving to find ways to get open.
And when those opportunities presented themselves, she seized them.
“They’re shooters,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “They are always moving with and without the ball. They know the kind of shots they want and they don’t settle. When people don’t settle for punches, you always have to pay attention to them.”
As a result of Swords’ relentless pursuit of scoring opportunities, the Gamecocks found themselves scrambling as Michigan took a 38-37 halftime lead. Of the Wolverines’ points in the first half, 16 were scored by Swords.
Even when the momentum shifted in South Carolina’s favor in the second half, Swords remained poised.
“I always start the day off nervous about the game,” Swords said. “But after the summer I had, training with the girls I had, … I was tested every single day and I wasn’t afraid to be tested. … Knowing that I’ve put in the time and that I’ve prepared for it is what really helps me in those big games.”
And with the Wolverines facing a nine-point deficit with less than a minute left on the clock, the Swords came out on top again.
After an offensive rebound from senior guard Greta Kampschroeder, Swords ran around the arc looking for an open three. Eventually, she found a gap and fired a 3-pointer through the net with just 42 seconds left. But she didn’t stop there, hitting a step back 3-pointer just 20 seconds later to pull Michigan within two points.
With those hits, Swords cut the Wolverines’ deficit to just two points, putting the game back in reach. Unfortunately for Michigan, Swords’ six points in the game’s final minute would be the team’s last, as the Gamecocks ran away with the lead and the game after hitting four free throws.
Although the Wolverines couldn’t come away with a win, Swords’ strong college debut defied expectations and is a sign of good things to come. Penetrating South Carolina’s defense all night, she showed goals that could boost Michigan’s offense in the upcoming games — and she did it all as a freshman in her first game.