No. 1 South Carolina just battled it out against No. 3 Southern Cal, taking an 89-85 win in a thriller that once again cemented who the *real* SC is, even if it was a nail-biter this time. The Gamecocks pulled out the victory in their home game at Bons Secours Wellness Arena in Greensville, South Carolina, proving their mettle against a truly resurgent Trojans squad.
The “Real SC” Series Lives Up to the Hype
This was the second installment of “The Real SC” series, and believe me, it delivered. Last year, the Gamecocks crushed USC 69-52 in Los Angeles, and then absolutely stomped them 101-61 in the second round of the NCAA tournament. So, with this 89-85 nail-biter, South Carolina now holds a perfect 6-0 all-time record against the Trojans. Gamecocks fifth-year forward Chloe Kitts summed it up perfectly in her postgame presser, saying, “Now you guys can stop saying who the real SC is, because we are.” Can’t argue with that!
But don’t get it twisted, this one was WAY closer than their previous matchups, thanks to the return of former National Player of the Year JuJu Watkins for the Trojans. That woman almost tied the game in the final seconds! Seriously, she bounced back with a monstrous fourth quarter that fueled USC’s comeback. But then, Jordan Lee, a reserve transfer from two-time Final Four participant Texas, made the play of the game. After turning the ball over at halfcourt, Lee recovered like a lightning bolt to block Watkins’ shot. That single play showcased exactly how deep and talented this Gamecocks roster is, and why they’re poised for a seventh consecutive Final Four. While there’s nothing set for future regular-season matchups, Sunday’s early season thriller definitely highlighted how spicy this rivalry can get. Could we see these two meet in the Final Four, with USC looking for their first berth since 1986? Man, I hope so!
Staley’s Master Plan Absorbs USC’s Best Punch
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, a three-time champion, had a clear game plan, and it paid off. She wasn’t even sweating it when Trojans junior guard Kennedy Smith dropped a team-high 15 points on just eight shots in the first half. That was part of the design, letting Smith get hers while keeping the real threats in check. USC’s Jazzy Davidson and Saniyah Hall are arguably the most talented teammates Watkins has ever had, and they rely heavily on the three ball to win games.
But Staley’s experienced, deep, and defensively stout roster just absorbed the Trojans’ initial punch without breaking. They kept that trio of No. 1-ranked recruits from really exploding, heading into halftime with a manageable 49-45 lead. This Gamecocks squad has faced top talent regularly, and they always walk out victorious. They weren’t shocked, they weren’t rattled. Watkins eventually found her way to the basket with a strong 11-point fourth quarter, matching her first-half total, to finish with 25 points. But the Gamecocks defense definitely made her work for it, as she shot 8 of 20 and coughed it up five times. Davidson, the top recruit from 2025, finished with 14 points on a rough 4 of 14 shooting night (though she hit 4 of 10 from deep). Hall, the freshman, put up 17 points, with all but six of those coming in the second half, shooting 5 of 14. And Smith? After that hot start, she didn’t score a single point in the second half, only attempting two more field goals. That’s Gamecocks defense for ya!
A Late Coaching Chess Match Seals It
Even when the Trojans’ late offensive push made it feel like they were about to tie or even take the lead, Staley pulled out the rug. After Jordan Lee’s clutch block on Watkins, USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb called a timeout with 14 seconds left, likely believing her team would get possession back. But Staley, the wizard that she is, made sure that wasn’t the case, solidifying the win.
So, while nothing’s set for another regular-season showdown, you know everyone’s gonna be watching for that potential Final Four clash. Could USC finally break their 1986 Final Four drought against the Gamecocks? We’ll have to wait and see, but if this game was any indication, it’s gonna be straight fire.
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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