FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Ashlyn Watkins had 21 points and 11 rebounds to lead No. 1 South Carolina to a 98-61 win over Arkansas on Thursday at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.
South Carolina (28-0, 15-0 SEC) stayed unbeaten with just one game to play in the regular season. The Gamecocks have beaten all but three opponents this season by double-figures. They lost just once - in the Final Four last year to Iowa - in the last 358 days.
South Carolina took control in the second quarter, starting the period on a 14-0 run to build its lead to 17 points. Arkansas (18-12, 6-9 SEC) was wholly ineffective offensively, missing its first eight shots from the floor in the quarter, seven of which came from 3-point range, and committing five turnovers in those 10 minutes.
The Gamecocks dominated on the inside, outrebounding Arkansas, 53-21, and outscoring the Razorbacks in the paint 56-22. South Carolina shot 61% from the field and limited Arkansas to 33%.
Maryam Dauda led the Razorbacks with 19 points, while Carly Keats and Samara Spencer each scored 11 and MaKayla Daniels added 10. MiLaysia Fulwiley (17), Tessa Johnson (12), Kamilla Cardoso (11) and Chloe Kitts (10) joined Watkins in double figures for South Carolina.
If the season ended Thursday, Arkansas would likely be out of the NCAA Tournament field right now and badly needs a win in its regular-season finale against Ole Miss to have an outside shot.
The Razorbacks battle the Rebels on Sunday. Coverage from the SJB Pavilion in Oxford, Miss., begins at 3 p.m. Central on the SEC Network.