Chloe Kitts absolutely DOMINATED her return to the court for No. 1 South Carolina on Sunday night, putting up a massive 17 points and 10 rebounds in an 84-39 drubbing of No. 12 North Carolina. This wasn’t just a win, it was a statement: Kitts, after missing all of last season with a knee injury, looked like she hadn’t missed a beat, leading the Gamecocks to their second straight lopsided victory over a ranked opponent.
Gamecocks Are Rolling After a Statement Performance
The Gamecocks, now a commanding 2-0, are making it clear they are the team to beat. They kicked off their season with a blistering 101-93 win over No. 20 Maryland in Paris this past Monday. Then they rolled into the Ally Tipoff and just dismantled the Tar Heels. It was in the second and third quarters where South Carolina truly caught fire, turning a competitive game into a runaway. They outscored North Carolina by an unbelievable 51-16 stretch, forcing 17 turnovers and stifling the Tar Heels to a mere six baskets in those two periods alone. Talk about a lockdown! This wasn’t just any win, it marked South Carolina’s fifth consecutive victory in the fierce Carolina border rivalry.
Returners Shine, Tar Heels Scramble
Kitts wasn’t the only Gamecock making a big return. Fifth-year forward Ashlyn Watkins, who also sat out all of last season after an ACL injury in January 2025, grabbed an impressive 10 rebounds in this game, matching her team-high 10 boards from the opening win against the Terrapins. While Watkins was held scoreless, her presence on the glass was huge. Joyce Edwards added 15 points, Tessa Johnson chipped in 12, and freshman Jerzy Robinson scored 10, showing off the incredible depth on this No. 1 squad. For North Carolina, who now sits at 0-2 after falling to No. 21 Oklahoma 91-79 in their earlier Oui-play double-header game, Nyla Brooks led the charge with 13 points, nailing four 3-pointers. But the Tar Heels struggled mightily from the field, shooting a dismal 25% on 15 of 60 attempts for the entire game.
What’s next for these teams? North Carolina heads home to open their season against North Carolina Central on Wednesday night. South Carolina faces a tough road test on Thursday night when they play state rival Clemson. The Gamecocks are also set to play in this Charlotte event for the next two seasons, taking on UConn in 2027 and then North Carolina State in 2028. Watch out, college basketball, South Carolina is here, and they mean business.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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