Valerie Nainima plays for the Gamecocks against the Arkansas Razorbacks Sunday.By Laura Coker
The Lady Gamecocks had a solid lead early in the game but couldn't hold on against Arkansas. Carolina lost 72-68 to the Razorbacks Sunday in the Colonial Life Center.
The team wore pink in support of efforts to raise awareness of breast cancer in the nationally televised game.
Carolina had a 8-0 lead in the first half of the game, but couldn't hold it. The Razorbacks' 86.7 percent free throw shooting and 57.6 percent shooting from the field helped them gain control in the second half.
Arkansas went on a 20-2 run with less than four minutes in the game and took the lead 65-63.
USC Freshman center, Kelsey Bone tied the game at 65. Then, Samone Kennedy put USC ahead 68-65 with just over a minute to play. The Razorbacks scored seven unanswered points to finish out the game.
Coach Dawn Staley says they don't have a leader who knows when it is time to bear it out and play.
"That's been our struggle. But it is a work in progress. We need someone to be that leader, regardless if they're playing well or not, or we're going to have more games like this," Staley said.
The Gamecock's (13-12, 6-7 SEC) loss could cost the team a chance to play in the NCAA tournament.
