South Carolina vs. Notre Dame in Paris score: Gamecocks, Kamilla Cardoso rout Fighting Irish in top-10 clash

Cardoso dominated the paint in a statement win for No. 6 South Carolina

The No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks opened their season with a dominant 100-71 win over No. 10 Notre Dame. This was the first college basketball game played on Parisian soil, and players from both teams put on quite the show. 

Kamilla Cardoso is already embracing her role as the leader for an inexperienced South Carolina team. She finished the day with a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds, and she was a huge part of why the Gamecocks had a 70-22 advantage in the paint. 

However, today's win was truly a team effort. As a whole, the Gamecocks shot over 54% from the field and five players reached double figures. Their bench also outscored Notre Dame's bench 41-12.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley had high expectations for freshman Milaysia Fulwiley, describing her as a "generational talent" to CBS Sports. Fulwiley definitely lived up to the hype with multiple highlights during her first college game. She finished the game with 17 points, six assists and six steals, but her excellence transcended the stat sheet. Even NBA legend Magic Johnson was talking about her on social media. 

"Togetherness is one of the main words we've been using all practice," Fulwiley told ESPN after the game. "We just play with each other, we love each other. We've been putting in the work since summer, so I think it was pretty easy for us once we got on the court."

Notre Dame had some key players missing today, namely Olivia Miles, as the star guard has not yet fully recovered from a knee injury she suffered during the last game of the 2022-23 regular season. ACC All-Freshman honoree KK Bransford was also out because of an injury.

The game started off competitive as both teams kept it close in the first quarter in a fast-paced battle. Notre Dame was shooting 50% from the field early on, but once the South Carolina defense turned up the heat, the Fighting Irish's offense collapsed and they finished the game with a 32.9% field goal percentage.

Junior guard Sonia Citron, Notre Dame's leading scorer from a season ago, did not get a chance to shine as much as she usually does. However, Notre Dame freshman Hannah Hidalgo introduced herself to the world with 31 points in her college debut, along with four rebounds, three assists and three steals. 

Next up, the Gamecocks will be hosting No. 14 Maryland on Nov. 12 for their home opener. Notre Dame will get a chance to reset their confidence on Nov. 12, as they'll return to the court for a road game against the NJIT Highlanders.

[Nov 6, 2023 at 3:15 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

FINAL: No. 6 South Carolina 100, No. 10 Notre Dame 71

Dawn Staley's Gamecocks are starting the season with a bang. The team is less experienced than last year but multiple players were shining today under the leadership of Kamilla Cardoso. The senior center led the team with a double-double of 20 points and 15 rebounds. But the future of South Carolina also seems bright with freshman Milaysia Fulwiley. She created a whole highlight reel for herself with 17 points, six assists and six steals in her college debut.

Notre Dame fell behind after the Gamecocks took over in the second quarter, and the Fighting Irish weren't able to come back. A bright spot for them was freshman Hannah Hidalgo leading all scorers with an impressive 31 points, along with four rebounds, three assists and three steals. 

[Nov 6, 2023 at 2:41 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

End of Q3: No. 6 South Carolina 74, No. 10 Notre Dame 49

The Gamecocks have taken over the game with multiple players shinning today. As a whole, the team is shooting at 53% from the field and have 23 assists in their 31 made field goals. Nine players have scored at last two points, with Kamilla Cardoso leading her way with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Oregon transfer Te-Hina Paopao is following closely with 14 points. 

Notre Dame hasn't found an answer, but freshman Hannah Hidalgo is putting on a show with 24 points while shooting 50% from the field. 

[Nov 6, 2023 at 2:19 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

The Gamecocks are keeping the momentum going and have now found a 20-point lead at 58-38 with 7:32 still remaining in the third quarter. Senior Kamilla Cardoso has reached a double-double of 13 points and 12 rebounds. 

[Nov 6, 2023 at 2:09 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

Freshmen are shinning bright today. South Carolina's Milaysia Fulwiley and Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo are impressing basketball fans everywhere, including NBA star Kevin Durant.

[Nov 6, 2023 at 2:05 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley called freshman Milaysia Fulwiley "a generational talent." She is already living up to the hype. At halftime, Fulwiley has seven points on 3-of-6 shooting, one rebound, two assists, one block and two steals in 13 minutes.

[Nov 6, 2023 at 1:57 pm ET · Isabel Gonzalez]

HALFTIME: No. 6 South Carolina 48, No. 10 Notre Dame 33

The Gamecocks took over late in the second quarter with a 24-6 run. This might be an inexperienced team, but it will be deep. There are no double-digit scorers for South Carolina yet as they have been sharing the offense. Raven Johnson leads the Gamecocks with nine points, while Kamilla Cardoso is flirting with a double-double with seven points and 11 rebounds. As a whole, the team is shooting at 51.4%.

"We just trust the process and listen to coach," Johnson said in the ESPN broadcast.

Notre Dame is led by Hannah Hidalgo, who is already at 17 points by going 6-of-10 from the field.