Top-ranked South Carolina secured a hard-fought 89-85 victory against No. 3 USC on Sunday in Greenville during a high-stakes matchup dubbed “The Battle for SC.”
Senior guard Tessa Johnson led the charge for the Gamecocks, recording a career-high 28 points while playing nearly the entire game.
Johnson demonstrated efficiency from the floor, hitting three of four shots from beyond the arc and seven of eight free throws, according to Yahoo Sports.
USC star JuJu Watkins paced the Trojans with 25 points, though her efforts were ultimately thwarted in the final moments of the game.
With USC trailing by two points in the closing seconds, Watkins attempted a game-tying layup that was denied by a critical defensive stop.
Gamecocks defender Jordan Lee recovered from a turnover to block the shot, a sequence that “marked a huge defensive play” for South Carolina, as noted by the NCAA.
The officiating crew initially awarded possession to USC following the block, but a challenge from the South Carolina coaching staff successfully overturned the ruling.
Replay footage confirmed the ball deflected off Watkins, leaving only 15.6 seconds remaining and effectively ending the Trojans’ comeback attempt.
The game highlighted the ongoing competitive tension between the two programs, a rivalry that traces its roots back to a 2008 trademark dispute over their shared acronym.
While the schools have faced off in previous seasons, including two meetings last year, this contest marked a significant milestone for the current rosters.
Watkins, who missed the previous two matchups against South Carolina due to an ACL injury, played a central role in keeping the Trojans within striking distance throughout the second half.
Despite a late 10-1 surge by USC that narrowed the gap to two points with 42 seconds left, South Carolina maintained its composure to preserve the win.
The victory keeps the Gamecocks atop the rankings as they continue their season, while the Trojans look to regroup following the narrow defeat.