Coates lifts No. 10 Gamecocks to 70-26 win

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Freshman Alaina Coates scored a career-high 23 points on perfect shooting to lead No. 10 South Carolina to its 21st straight win over South Carolina State, 70-26 on Sunday.

The 6-foot-4 Coates made all seven of her field goal attempts and was 9 of 9 at the free throw line for the Gamecocks (11-1), who had any easy time putting away the overmatched Lady Bulldogs (1-8) of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

Coates left the game after connecting on her second three-point play with about 5 minutes left. That moved her past her old mark of 21 points set last month in a win over San Diego State. She had three of South Carolina’s five blocks.

Elem Ibiam added nine points and nine rebounds for the Gamecocks.

South Carolina used a 19-0 run in the first half to take control.

Mykala Jones led the Lady Bulldogs with seven points.