Sophomore forward Ashlyn Watkins produced a career-high 21 points in leading South Carolina women's basketball to a 98-61 win over Arkansas on Thursday.

The No. 1 Gamecocks (28-0, 15-0 SEC) used a 14-0 run to open the second quarter and put the Razorbacks (18-12, 6-9) away, then outscored them 27-10 in the fourth quarter to turn the game into a blowout at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville.

South Carolina was named the No. 1 overall seed in the second NCAA women's basketball top 16 reveal ahead of its game Thursday. It also is one game away from a second-straight undefeated regular season.

"We don't let our foot off the gas when it comes to doing things the right way," coach Dawn Staley said. "That's everything on and off the court. Trying to have those habits that can only help you, and this team has found a way to figure out ways to win."

Senior center Kamilla Cardoso played 16 minutes in her return after missing two games to rest. She scored 11 points, contributing to South Carolina's 56-22 advantage in points in the paint. Freshman guard MiLaysia Fulwiley added 17 points, while freshman guard Tessa Johnson scored 12 points on four 3-pointers.

In a strange set of events, Arkansas had a 2-0 lead at tipoff. South Carolina was called for an administrative technical for changing the starting lineup too close to the start of the game when the team decided to replace sophomore forward Ashlyn Watkins with junior forward Sania Feagin.

In the second quarter, the Gamecocks jumped out to a 14-0 run to expand their lead to 18 points during a seven-minute stretch without a Razorbacks bucket. Arkansas' cold spell spoiled a strong first quarter, which ended on junior guard Samara Spencer's 3-pointer and made it a 26-22 game.

The Razorbacks' scoreless stretch included seven missed 3-pointers in the second quarter. They were 4-for-20 from deep by halftime, while South Carolina shot 4-for-9.

Ashlyn Watkins has career high

Despite Watkins leaving the starting lineup at the last second, she still produced a career night, including her nine made field goals.

"I see Ashlyn as continually getting better," Staley said. "Every single game, every single practice, she's into it. She sees her progression."

Watkins, who also had 11 rebounds. has continually improved down the stretch in her search for SEC Sixth Woman of the Year. In her past six games, she is averaging 13.3 points, raising her season average nearly a full point, from nine points to 9.9 points per game.

The double-double was her eighth of the season, five of which have come off the bench. Two of her other three came in starts in place of sophomore forward Chloe Kitts.

South Carolina dominates on the boards

South Carolina used its size to control the rebounding margin, ending the game with a 53-21 advantage. The Gamecocks average 12 more rebounds per game than their opponent.

"We've got really big bodies to throw at teams," Staley said. "Big, small, athletic. We utilize our depth."

The Gamecocks nearly doubled up the Razorbacks in rebounds in the first half, taking a 27-14 advantage into the break.

South Carolina's depth at the forward position was highlighted, especially as Arkansas used a short eight-man rotation most of the night. Feagin had nine rebounds in her first career start, while Kitts, who didn't play until the second quarter, had five rebounds.

"That is probably the biggest strength of our team is the ability to play 10 players and not miss a beat," Staley said. "We probably don't even have enough time to play even like Sakima Walker, she didn't get in very much, but when she got in, she made an impact."

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: South Carolina women's basketball blows out Arkansas 98-61