AUBURN, Ala. — Ashlyn Watkins had 14 points and 15 rebounds, reserve MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 15 points and No. 1 South Carolina overcame a slow start to beat Auburn 76-54 on Thursday night.
In a matchup between the top offense and the top defense in the Southeastern Conference, the Gamecocks broke through in the second half, going on a 13-2 run late in the third quarter to put away the Tigers.
Kamilla Cardoso added 13 points and six rebounds for South Carolina (20-0, 8-0), which out-rebounded Auburn 48-35.
Auburn’s Honesty Scott-Grayson matched her career high with 31 points, but on one else scored more than six points for the Tigers (14-7, 3-5).
South Carolina has won its first 20 games in back-to-back seasons. The Gamecocks’ lone loss last season came in the Final Four to Iowa.
Auburn bottled up the nation’s lone undefeated team in the first half and trailed 27-22 at the break.
But the Tigers didn’t have enough offensive firepower to stay with the Gamecocks after halftime and finished by shooting 32.2% from the field.
The teams combined to shoot 7 of 26 from 3-point range in a defensive battle that featured 32 turnovers.
South Carolina hosts Mississippi on Sunday.