The No. 3 South Carolina women’s basketball team defeated the Louisville Cardinals 79-77 on Thursday night at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky.
Louisville scored the first 2 points of the game, and South Carolina answered with a jumper made by sophomore forward Joyce Edwards. Junior guard Tessa Johnson followed with a 3-pointer, giving the Gamecocks an early 5-4 lead.
South Carolina was able to remain in the lead for the most part with 9 points from senior center Madina Okot, 8 from Edwards and 10 from Tessa Johnson. The three Gamecocks scored all of South Carolina’s first-quarter points.
Louisville took a 25-21 lead off a second-chance layup and a steal, but South Carolina responded. Layups from Edwards and Okot, and another layup as a result of an Edwards steal ended the first quarter in South Carolina’s favor, 27-25.
To start off the second quarter, Tessa Johnson and sophomore forward Adhel Tac were both fouled, bringing the score to 30-26 after going three for four free throws.
A South Carolina turnover resulted in a Louisville 3-pointer, but senior guard Raven Johnson responded with a 3-pointer of her own. Raven Johnson stepped up in the second quarter for the Gamecocks, scoring seven points. Freshman guard Ayla McDowell then scored another 3-pointer, bringing the score to 36-31.
However, the Cardinals answered and eventually tied once more with the Gamecocks at 37-37 after two 3-pointers.
South Carolina responded with a 6-0 run with a turnaround jumper from senior guard Ta’Niya Latson, a layup from Tessa Johnson, and a jumper from Raven Johnson to push the lead to 43-37. A few points later, Raven Johnson scored the final points of the first half with a jumper, making the score 45-39.
Latson made a layup and a 3-pointer to start the third quarter, bringing the Gamecocks to a 50-39 lead, their largest of the game. However, Louisville quickly responded with back-to-back 3-pointers and a layup that brought them back within three at 50-47. Tessa Johnson made a 3-pointer, the Cardinals scored back-to-back jumpers.
Louisville continued to hang with the Gamecocks as the Cardinals hit two layups to cut the lead to one by the end of the third quarter.
Yet another layup from Louisville brought it into the lead to start off the fourth quarter at 64-63. The Cardinals followed with a 3-pointer to increase their lead to 67-63.
South Carolina responded with a layup from Okot and a 3-pointer from Tessa Johnson. However, Louisville still remained in the lead, 70-68.
Both teams then exchanged the ball for over two minutes with no field goals scored. Louisville was finally able to score with a 3-pointer, making the score 73-68.
A timeout was called by South Carolina. Coming out of the timeout, Raven Johnson made both free throws following a foul. A layup by Okot made the score 76-75 for the Gamecocks' first lead in six minutes.
Raven Johnson made a layup, but Louisville cut the Gamecock lead to one after a foul called on Latson brought the score to 78-77 after free throws.
South Carolina called two back-to-back timeouts with time running out, holding on to a tight lead. Okot was then fouled and made one of two free throws, making the score 79-77.
Louisville got the ball with seven seconds left and attempted a 3-pointer but missed it. The ball was rebounded by Okot, who was fouled. Despite missing both free throws, time ran out as Louisville attempted one last shot, allowing South Carolina to secure a win, 79-77.
What's next?
No. 3 South Carolina (8-1) returns to Colonial Life Arena on Dec. 7 to take on the North Carolina Central Eagles at noon. The game will be streamed on the SEC Network.