On Monday, Hoops College: South Carolina stopped Tennessee Lady Vols to spoil Caldwell’s return – Bristol Herald Courier

Knoxville, Tenn.

Milais Fulvilly added 11 points, and The-Hina Paopa, Chloe Kitts and Raven Johnson all had 10 for Gamecocks (20-1, 8-0 Southeast Conference).

Lady Vols (15-5, 3-5) had coach Kim Caldwell back to the side line after she missed the loss last week in Texas after the birth of her son. Tennessee, who lost three in a row, was led by Ruby Whitehorn with 12 points. Taleysia Cooper added 11.

Gamecocks gathered 18-1 to take a half-time 35-26.

Caldwell was welcomed with a standing ovation of 12,033 on Monday night.

Caldwell missed only one game for Lady Vols after receiving his first child-loss child from 80-76 on Thursday night in then. 7 Texas.

She walked quickly down the side line shortly before Tipoff and waved on the crowd before shaking with South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.

“I tried to sneak,” Caldwell said after losing 70-63 to Tennessee to the second ranked Gamecocks. “I wanted to go unnoticed. (Ovation) is worth it, it is coming back. “

Staley took into account Caldwell’s dedication to her team.

“Women have the power of 10 men,” Staley said.

Caldwell was trying to help Lady Vols click with a slide that has now reached three games. She returned practically on Friday.

The 36-year-old coach for the first year said there were several postpartum restrictions.

“It was difficult for me to scream,” she said. “My players and my staff helped me with the scream. I will know how I did after I get into my car and head home. “

Caldwell said he never hesitated in his decision to return.

“I love my team,” she said. “I ask many of them. I told that I would give them everything I could. “

“We have to be ready to give up everything,” said senior Lady Vols Samara Spencer. “But having a baby is very, very difficult.”

Caldwell laughed and nodded.

“There on the floor, the adrenaline kicked,” Caldwell said. “I will find out how bad it is when it is finally established.”

South Carolina: A few weeks ago, Ashlin Watkins came down with a knee injury at the end of the season. Watkins was the best defender of Gamecocks, but Edwards filled this void, becoming a dominant presence down.

Tennessee: With Caldwell Back, Lady Vols will try to recover from a section of five losses in seven games, four of them in teams ranked in the top 10. They face two more highly ranked enemies in their next three games in # 6 Uconn and No. 7 LSU.

With 6:50 to play in the second quarter, Talaysee Cooper of Tennessee hit a bucket to lift Lady Vols 20-17. Then Tennessee went more than six minutes without a basket until South Carolina took control with her 18-1.

In the second and third quarter, Tennessee launched 8 out of 34 (23.5%) of the pitch and 1 of 15 (6.7%) to 3-indicators.

South Carolina: Host on Sunday.

Tennessee: In Missouri on Sunday.