No. 1 South Carolina women's basketball sent an early-season NCAA message, crushing No. 23 North Carolina 84-39 in Sunday's South Carolina vs UNC clash behind Chloe Kitts's double-double.
The Gamecocks’ defense smothered their Carolina rivals for a fifth straight head-to-head victory.
2nd-Half Surge Boosts South Carolina Rout of UNC
South Carolina pulled away by outscoring North Carolina 51-16 across the second and third quarters, holding the Tar Heels to six baskets in that stretch while forcing 17 turnovers. Meanwhile, UNC (0-2) shot just 25%, though Nyla Brooks paced her squad with 13 points and four 3-pointers.
Kitts led the way with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Joyce Edwards added 15, Tessa Johnson scored 12, and Jerzy Robinson chipped in 10. Edwards, Kitts, and Johnson each shot 50% or better from the floor. Ashlyn Watkins grabbed 10 boards in her return from a torn ACL that cost her the 2025/26 NCAA season.
What’s Next for South Carolina Women’s Basketball
The win pushed NCAA basketball's top-ranked team to 2-0 after an opening 101-93 victory over No. 20 Maryland in Paris, and it put the rest of the country on notice.
South Carolina women’s basketball visits Clemson on Thursday before facing No. 3 USC on November 15th.
