South Carolina closed out its regular season schedule with a hard-fought 60-56 victory over Kentucky on the road, surviving a determined late push from the Wildcats to secure the win and finish the regular season on a positive note.
A Test of Composure
The No. 3 Gamecocks (29-2, 15-1 SEC) appeared to be pulling away comfortably, stretching their advantage to 54-43 with just over eight minutes remaining. However, Kentucky (21-9, 8-8 SEC) refused to fold, staging a spirited comeback that made for a tense finish in Lexington.
The Wildcats clawed back to within two points at 58-56, setting up a dramatic final possession. With the game hanging in the balance, a missed layup and a subsequent jump ball saw possession swing back to South Carolina. Madina Okot then converted the decisive basket to seal the victory and put the game beyond reach.
Okot Delivers When It Matters Most
Okot was the standout performer for the Gamecocks, finishing with 21 points and 13 rebounds for her seventh consecutive double-double and 20th of the season. It also marked the sixth occasion this season that she led the South Carolina offense in scoring, and the sixth time she reached the 20-point mark. Her composed finish in the game’s closing moments proved to be the difference.
Tessa Johnson contributed 12 points, recording her 22nd game of the season in double figures. Her first three-pointer of the afternoon ignited a 13-4 run in the second quarter that pushed the Gamecocks’ lead out to 14 points. Raven Johnson rounded out the double-digit scorers with 11 points, five assists, and a steal — leading the team in assists for the 19th time this season.
Joyce Edwards was inches away from a double-double, finishing with nine points and nine rebounds while registering a career-high three blocked shots. Her three made field goals also pushed her career total to 246, setting a new program record for most field goals made by a Gamecock sophomore, surpassing the previous mark of 245.
All five South Carolina starters finished with at least seven points, reflecting the balanced nature of their offensive effort throughout the game.
Kentucky’s Resistance
Clara Strack was exceptional for the Wildcats, pouring in 24 points and pulling down nine rebounds. She shot 11-of-19 from the field and scored eight crucial points during Kentucky’s late rally. Asia Boone provided additional support with 11 points, including a pair of three-pointers that helped spark the comeback and briefly level the score at 37.
Despite their resilience, the rest of the Kentucky roster struggled, combining to shoot just 13-of-44 from the field — a statistic that ultimately proved too large a hurdle to overcome.
Looking Ahead
With the regular season now behind them, South Carolina shifts its full focus to the SEC Tournament in Greenville, where they enter as the No. 1 seed chasing a fourth consecutive conference tournament title. The Gamecocks will be eager to carry the lessons of a tightly contested finish in Lexington into what promises to be an intense postseason run.
