Tessa Johnson scored a career-high 28 points, Joyce Edwards added 20 points and 10 rebounds and No. 1 South Carolina survived a late threat to defeat No. 3 Southern California 89-85 on Sunday in Greenville, S.C.
In a series dubbed “The Real SC,” the Gamecocks won for the third time in two seasons, including a Round of 32 meeting in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. South Carolina improved to 6-0 against USC all-time.
Chloe Kitts added 15 points and 12 boards and Jerzy Robinson scored 11 points before fouling out for South Carolina (4-0). JuJu Watkins tallied 11 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter to guide the Trojans (3-1).
When Johnson converted a tough layup falling down, she gave the Gamecocks their first double-digit lead of the day, 67-57, with 2:04 left in the third period. Jazzy Davidson’s 3-pointer and Laura Williams’ layup quickly halved that deficit for USC, and the Trojans entered the fourth quarter down 70-64.
They clawed within two points with seven minutes to go. Edwards responded with a layup, Kitts knocked down a long 2-pointer and Agot Makeer received a handoff and hit a layup. Johnson’s two free throws and Kitts’ layup made it a 10-0 run and a 12-point game with 3:57 left.
But Watkins led USC back with a 3-pointer and a layup. Two South Carolina fouls allowed Saniyah Hall to go 3-for-4 at the line. Davidson buried a trey, and then the Gamecocks were whistled for an offensive foul. Watkins cut the lead to 87-85 with her ensuing long two.
Davidson worked for a steal off Jordan Lee at midcourt and USC went the other way, but Lee caught up and got a hand on Watkins’ layup attempt with 15 seconds left.
Officials initially gave USC possession, but South Carolina challenged the call and it was overturned. Johnson was quickly fouled and made her free throws to help the Gamecocks escape.
Hall finished with 17 points and nine rebounds for USC, while Kennedy Smith had 15 points, five rebounds and five assists and Davidson added 14 points with four 3-pointers.
The Trojans held the early advantage as Smith scored their first eight points, including two 3-pointers. A Davidson triple off a turnover at midcourt made it 13-5 early on.
The Gamecocks climbed back. Makeer aided a late 9-0 run with a 3-pointer, a steal and an assist under the hoop for Edwards, which gave the Gamecocks their first lead at 22-21.
South Carolina led by eight during the second quarter but had the lead clipped to 49-45 by halftime.
–Field Level Media
