USC 68-Texas 65 Game Summary
COLONIAL LIFE ARENA
- Texas handed South Carolina its only loss of the season 66-64 in Las Vegas on November 27th. The Gamecocks went 3-1 against the Longhorns last season including a win in the Final Four.
- The game was a tight one from the start. The biggest lead was nine points by Texas at 22-13 early in the second quarter. The Gamecocks fought back to win the quarter and tie the game at the half at 32-32.
- The Gamecocks forced the Longhorns into 10 turnovers in the second quarter, which limited Texas to just eight shots. They made five of them. The Gamecocks scored 11 points off those turnovers.
- Texas won the third quarter by a point, and the game was tied until a three point play by Joyce Edwards with 4:12 to play gave USC a 58-57 lead. The Gamecocks would lead the rest of the way.
- After a missed jumper by Madison Booker, Madina Okot buried a three to put USC up 61-57 with 3:32 remaining. Texas got back to within a basket before Tessa Johnson made one of two at the line and Raven Johnson for a five point lead with 1:07 left.
- Booker and Johnson exchanged baskets over the 48 seconds, and it was 66-63 Gamecocks with :19 to play. Okot made one of two at the line, and after Booker missed a three, Joyce Edwards was fouled on the rebound and made one of two free throws for a 68-63 lead with :10 remaining.
- Texas hit a pair of free throws with seven seconds left, and coach Vic Schefer chose not to foul the Gamecocks once they inbounded the ball following a timeout.
- Both teams were loose with the ball with Texas suffering 22 turnovers and the Gamecocks 20. Those were turned into 15 and 23 points respectively. The Gamecocks won on the fastbreak 15-4.
- The Gamecocks also outscored the Longhorns from the foul line 18-12.
- Five Gamecocks scored in double figures with Edwards leading the way with 14 points. She also had eight rebounds. Booker led all scorers with 24 points.
- That’s 493 career wins at South Carolina for Dawn Staley. If the Gamecocks stay unbeaten, she will get #500 at home against Tennessee on February 8th.
- The Gamecocks have won 51 straight at home against SEC competition. They are now 18-1 overall and 5-0 in the SEC. Texas is 18-2 and 3-2.
