Tessa Johnson scored a career-high 28 points, Joyce Edwards added 20 points and 10 rebounds, and No. 1 South Carolina held off a late rally to defeat No. 3 Southern California 89-85 on Sunday in Greenville, S.C.
Chloe Kitts added 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Jerzy Robinson scored 11 points before fouling out for South Carolina (4-0). JuJu Watkins scored 11 of her 25 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Trojans (3-1).
USC pulled within two points with seven minutes remaining, but South Carolina scored the next 10 points to build its largest lead at 84-72 with 3:57 to play.
Watkins sparked another USC rally with a 3-pointer and a layup. Jazzy Davidson followed with a 3-pointer, then the Gamecocks were called for an offensive foul. Watkins’ ensuing long 2-pointer cut the deficit to 87-85.
Davidson stole the ball from Jordan Lee at midcourt, and USC went the other way. But Lee recovered and got a hand on Watkins’ layup attempt with 15 seconds remaining. Officials initially awarded possession to USC, but South Carolina challenged the call and it was overturned. Johnson was quickly fouled and made both free throws to help the Gamecocks escape.
No. 10 Iowa 75, No. 8 Vanderbilt 65
Chazadi Wright scored 16 points, Ava Heiden contributed 15 points and 14 rebounds, and the Hawkeyes won a top-10 matchup against the Commodores in Sioux City, Iowa.
Amari Whiting joined Heiden with a double-double, recording 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Dani Carnegie scored 10 points for Iowa (4-1), which dominated the boards 48-33. The Hawkeyes led by double digits for the final 35:37.
Mikayla Blakes had 20 points and nine rebounds, Mia Woolfolk scored 19 points, and Aubrey Galvan added 15 for Vanderbilt (4-1).
–Field Level Media
