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COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Alaina Coates thinks she and post partner Aja Wilson have picked up right where they left off -- and thats a bad sign for No. 3 South Carolinas opponents.I pretty much feel like were back to where we were, Coates said.Theyd get no arguments from Maine after the Gamecocks ran off to a 79-42 victory on Monday night in the Basketball Hall of Fame Womens Challenge.The 6-foot-5 Wilson had 14 points on 7-of-8 shooting while 6-4 Coates had 12 points and 14 rebounds. The two did about whatever they wanted most of the way against the undersized, young Black Bears (2-3).Theyre good, Maine coach Richard Barron said. What else can you say?The Gamecocks (3-0) used their defense to make quick work of Maine, starting on a 15-0 run, then outscoring their opponents 13-0 to open the third quarter. South Carolina eventually grew the lead to 41 points in the final period.Freshman Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, at 6-2 the primary post backup for Wilson and Coates, added 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting and picked up eight boards.South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said when Coates and Wilson play with efficiency and speed, it helps in teaching Herbert Harrigan the right way to play.When she sees our two bigs clicking like that, it kind of becomes contagious, Staley said. She had a pretty good basketball game.The Gamecocks outrebounded Maine 42-27 while Wilson had four of their five blocked shots. Coates swatted away the other.South Carolinas two high-profile transfers, Kaela Davis and Allisha Gray, also finished in double figures with 10 points each. Julie Brosseau had 11 points, including three 3-pointers, to lead the Black Bears.BIG PICTUREMaine: The Black Bears opened with a surprise win at Purdue, but lost for the third time in the past four games. They dont have the size to match up with teams like No. 7 Mississippi State (a 44-point loss on Nov. 12) or the third-ranked Gamecocks. But Maine, which starts four freshmen, showed off some shooting touch in a 59-43 win over St. Peters on Sunday night. Laia Sole, who scored 16 points in the St. Peters win, was named the American East rookie of the week for the second straight time this season.Whats it like starting four freshmen? Its a little bit better than starting five, Maines Barron said.South Carolina: The Gamecocks wont go wrong going inside this season to Wilson and Coates. Coates had 10 points and 12 rebounds by halftime to collect her second double-double of the season and 44th of her career.POLL IMPLICATIONSSouth Carolina will have one more tune up on Tuesday night before things get serious when it faces No. 4 Louisville on Sunday. Lose that one and count on the Gamecocks to tumble from the top five.YOUNG GAMECOCKSAfter taking its big lead, South Carolina played several young players in the final quarter like Herbert Harrigan, Victoria Patrick, Araion Bradshaw and Tyasha Harris, all freshmen. Staley said the group has to get experience because the Gamecocks have only four juniors or seniors returning with significant experience Wilson, Coates, point guard Bianca Cuevas-Moore and guard Tiffany Davis.We may need the young players at some point this season, Staley said.STREAK ENDERWilson set a school record on Sunday night, going 14 of 14 from the foul line in defeating Hampton 92-38. Could Wilson keep it going? No as she missed her first free throw against Maine and finished 0-2 at the line.UP NEXTMaine takes on Hampton here at the Colonial Life Arena on Tuesday night as part of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Challenge.South Carolina finishes a three-game homestand on Tuesday, facing St. Peters as part of the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Challenge. Brady Anderson Jersey . The 43-year-old closer, in his 19th and final big league season, has said hed like to play the outfield. Yankees manager Joe Girardi says hes thinking about allowing Rivera to do it this weekend, when the Yankees finish their season with a three-game series at the Houston Astros. Jonathan Villar Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. https://www.cheaporioles.com/138i-whitey-herzog-jersey-orioles.html . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Paul Blair Jersey . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. Steve Barber Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. HOUSTON (2-0) at NEW ENGLAND (2-0)Thursday, 8:25 p.m. EDT, CBS/NFL NetworkOPENING LINE -- Houston by 1RECORD VS. SPREAD -- Houston 2-0, New England 2-0SERIES RECORD -- Patriots lead 6-1LAST MEETING -- Patriots beat Texans 27-6, Dec. 13, 2015LAST WEEK -- Texans beat Chiefs 19-12; Patriots beat Dolphins 31-24AP PRO32 RANKING -- Patriots No. 1 (tie), Texans No. 7TEXANS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (20), RUSH (11), PASS (24).TEXANS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (3), RUSH (11), PASS (4).PATRIOTS OFFENSE -- OVERALL (5), RUSH (7), PASS (9).PATRIOTS DEFENSE -- OVERALL (25), RUSH (9), PASS (28).STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES -- Texans looking for first 3-0 start since 2012. . Win would give Houston its 100th all-time regular-season victory. . Houston coach Bill OBrien was Patriots assistant from 2007 to 2011. . Texans have not allowed touchdown in six consecutive quarters. . Houston leads NFL with nine sacks, most through two games in team history. .Texans are 2-5 in Thursday night games. .While with Broncos last season, QB Brock Osweiler won in only other previous start against New England, 30-24 in Denver. . Rookiee WR Will Fuller is third player in NFL history with 100-plus receiving yards in each of first two career games.dddddddddddd . DE J.J. Watt has six sacks, nine tackles for loss and fumble return for TD in nine Thursday games. Since entering NFL in 2011, he has 76 sacks, most in NFL. ... Patriots coach Bill Belichick is 10-2 in Thursday games. ... QB Jimmy Garoppolo is 2-0 as starter and has 117.2 passer rating. . If QB Jacoby Brissett starts, it would be first time New England has started rookie QB since Drew Bledsoe in 1993. . Patriots are 91-47-1 against AFC South teams, only division in NFL where they have winning records against each team. . Including playoffs, New England has won 27 of past 29 at home. ... TE Martellus Bennett has 271 catches since 2012, fourth most by NFL tight end. . Fantasy Tip: Patriots WR Julian Edelman looking for third 100-yard receiving game against Houston.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '