South Carolina Gamecocks Dominate USC Trojans in High-Stakes Showdown

The South Carolina Gamecocks, ranked second in the nation, secured a solid victory over the eighth-ranked USC Trojans with a final score of 69-52. The game, dubbed "The Real SC, " took place at the Crypto. com Arena and showcased the Gamecocks' strong performance, particularly from Joyce Edwards, who scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Gamecocks, who lost to UConn in the national title game last season, are now 4-0 on the season. Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson each contributed 14 points to the team's success. On the other hand, the Trojans, led by Kennedy Smith with 12 points and Kara Dunn with 10, struggled to keep up, finishing the game with a 2-1 record. One notable absence for the Trojans was star player JuJu Watkins, who is currently rehabbing from a torn ACL sustained during the NCAA Tournament in March. In her place, freshman Jazzy Davidson stepped up, but her performance was lackluster, scoring only eight points on 4 of 11 shooting and committing four turnovers. The Gamecocks took control of the game in the third quarter, outscoring the Trojans 23-15. Edwards contributed 10 points during this crucial period, while Tessa Johnson hit two 3-pointers. The Trojans' struggles continued in the fourth quarter, where they were held to just seven points and finished the game 1 of 14 from 3-point range. The Gamecocks dominated the boards, outrebounding the Trojans 56-32, with Madina Okot leading the way with a season-high 15 rebounds. The first half of the game was a struggle for both teams, with neither shooting well. The Gamecocks led by 10 points early on, but the Trojans regrouped in the second quarter, using a 12-4 run to take their first lead of the game. However, a jumper by Malia Samuels at the halftime buzzer left the Gamecocks ahead 32-30. This victory marks the third time South Carolina has beaten USC under coach Dawn Staley, improving their overall record against the Trojans to 4-0. The teams first met in 1980, and their rivalry will continue with a second game set for next November in South Carolina. Looking ahead, the Gamecocks will host Winthrop on Wednesday, while the Trojans will face Portland on Tuesday.