In the latest installment of the newest SEC rivalry, the second-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks outlasted the No. 4 Texas Longhorns in a 68-65 thriller on Thursday night behind senior guard Raven Johnson’s latest clutch performance.
This was incredibly the sixth meeting between the two programs since Jan. 12 of last season, all of which have been with both teams ranked inside the top five. South Carolina (18-1, 5-0 SEC) has now won four of those six contests.
It was not the most efficient night from either side as both teams combined to shoot just 5-of-20 from beyond the arc. There were almost as many turnovers (42) as made field goals (49), but the Gamecocks found enough offense late to grind out the nail-biting win.
Raven Johnson helps South Carolina avenge heartbreaking loss to Texas
Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards led South Carolina with 14 points (3-of-11 FG) and eight rebounds, but it was the clutch play in the fourth quarter from Johnson that really sealed the deal.
She scored or assisted on 12 of the 20 fourth-quarter points for the Gamecocks, including this layup with just over one minute remaining to extend South Carolina’s lead to five, its largest of the game.