Myrtle Beach native leads Lady Gamecocks to victory

Posted: 01.20.2013 at 4:17 PM

Sessions scored 15 points off the bench for the Lady Gamecocks. / WPDE-TV 15

(AP) -- Freshman guard Khadijah Sessions had 15 points and No. 19 South Carolina held off Florida 52-44 Sunday despite a 9-minute scoreless drought. Sessions, a 3-time WPDE Miss Hoop Zone winner at Myrtle Beach High, also had five rebounds coming off the bench to help the Lady Gamecocks.

The Gamecocks (16-3, 4-2 Southeastern Conference), whose 59 rebounds were the most in coach Dawn Staley's five seasons, led 17-6 early and 24-17 at halftime.

Jaterra Bonds, who paced the Gators with 16 points, tied it at 35 on a layup with 12:14 left, but South Carolina rattled off 10 straight points, capped by Ashley Bruner's layup with 9:39 remaining, and Elem Ibiam had two key blocks.

The Gamecocks would not score again - missing 14 field goals and six free throws - until Bruner made 1 of 2 free throws with 32 seconds left for a 46-42 lead.

After Sydney Moss' jumper made it 47-44, South Carolina hit 5 of 6 free throws in the final 15 seconds.