# 21 Lady Gamecocks Fall Just Short Against #1 Stanford, 53-49

The 21st-ranked South Carolina women had No. 1 Stanford on the ropes down the stretch, leading by two with 2:33 to play, but came up just short in the waning seconds to fall 53-49 in front of a rowdy 8,118 fans at Colonial Life Arena Wednesday night. Sophomore forward Aleighsa Welch led the way for the Gamecocks (10-1) with a season-high 17 points, scoring 13 in the second half. It was the Gamecock defense that made the game, however, forcing Stanford into 18 turnovers and holding the high-scoring Cardinal 25 points below its season average.