The No. 2 South Carolina women's basketball team defeated the No. 8 Southern California Trojans 69-52 on Saturday night at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California. The Gamecocks now lead the all-time head-to-head 4-0 over the Trojans.
The Gamecocks started hot with a 5-0 run powered by senior guard Raven Johnson hitting a quick layup and a three-pointer. Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards kept South Carolina's momentum going, as the pair combined for 14 points in the first quarter.
USC senior guard Kara Dunn kept the Trojans close with 7 points on 3-4 shooting in the first quarter, while sophomore forward Vivian Iwuchukwu chipping in 5 points of her own. The Gamecocks led 20-16 at the end of the first quarter.
The Gamecocks encountered some difficult sledding in the second quarter, as the offense slowed down. The Gamecocks turned the ball over six times in the second quarter after a turnover-free first quarter, and went on an over three-minute scoreless run.
Senior center Madina Okot broke the scoreless run to keep South Carolina's lead 4 points, 26-22. Okot led the Gamecocks in scoring in the second quarter with a pair of field goals to go along with six rebounds.
South Carolina continued to defend tough and clean up the glass with 17 rebounds and three blocks in the second quarter. South Carolina also attacked the basket and got fouls, with the Gamecocks attempting six free throws in the quarter to Southern California's two.
The Trojans took the lead at 28-27 with 1:38 left in the first half thanks to a layup from junior guard Malia Samuels. The Gamecocks regained the lead after a layup from Okot and free throws from Edwards and junior guard Tessa Johnson. Samuels hit a buzzer-beating floater to end the half, with the Gamecocks maintaining a 32-30 lead entering the break.
In the second half, South Carolina began by upping the intensity and pace in the third quarter, forcing seven turnovers in the third quarter. South Carolina only forced four turnovers in the entire first half.
This led to senior guard Ta'Niya Latson, Edwards and Tessa Johnson all getting quick baskets as the South Carolina lead ballooned to double digits at 42-32 after just over three minutes of second half play.
The faster pace left some chances for Southern California as well, as the Trojans forced eight turnovers, and sophomore guard Kennedy Smith and freshman guard Jazzy Davidson scored Southern California's first four baskets of the third quarter to keep the score close. An and-one layup from Dunn cut the lead to six near the halfway point of the third quarter at 47-41.
Edwards replied with a tough basket in the post, and Tessa Johnson made a three to bring the lead back up to 11 at 52-41. After that point in the third quarter, South Carolina's lead did not dip below nine as freshman guard Agot Makeer scored a layup on the drive with less than two minutes remaining in the quarter.
South Carolina shot better than the Trojans from the field in the third quarter, 47.6% to 35.3%, and out-rebounded the Trojans 18 to six, as the team took a 55-45 lead entering the final frame of the game.
The fourth quarter was slower and played more in the half court, which allowed the Gamecocks to grind away at Southern California with emphasis on paint scoring and patient and well set up possessions. South Carolina scored 10 of its 14 fourth quarter points in the paint.
Smith was Southern California's highest scorer in the fourth quarter, with 4 points on two shots. Southern California scored a total of 7 fourth quarter points, and did not score for the final three and a half minutes of the game.
Latson, Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson all scored 4 fourth quarter points each to complete the win, and give South Carolina a 69-52 final score.
What's Next?
No. 2 South Carolina returns home to Colonial Life Arena to take on Winthrop on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. The game will be available to watch on SEC Network.