GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The first time South Carolina played Mississippi State this season, on Jan. 23, coach Dawn Staley benched Kaela Davis in the first half as an act of "tough love." She wanted Davis, who was struggling offensively, to find another way to help the Gamecocks. Davis did, channeling her energy into second-half defense that contributed a lot to South Carolina's victory.
Six weeks later, the two best teams in the SEC met a second time, here Sunday in the league tournament final. With senior center Alaina Coates sidelined with an ankle injury, and junior forward A'ja Wilson battling the Bulldogs' 6-foot-7 post Teaira McCowan, South Carolina needed someone else -- along with Wilson -- to have a huge performance.