Clemson Women's Basketball Faces No. 1 South Carolina Thursday

Clemson women’s basketball faces a defining moment this Thursday as it hosts the top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks.

The Palmetto Series Clash at Littlejohn Coliseum features a massive talent gap on paper, but the Tigers are playing with momentum. Clemson enters the matchup following a 72-44 victory over UNC Greensboro, marking their third win by 19 points or more, Clemson University Athletics reported.

The stakes for the Tigers extend beyond a single win in a rivalry series. A victory would represent Clemson’s first win over a No. 1 AP Top 25 opponent since they defeated Maryland 72-55 on Feb. 15, 1992. It would also mark the first time the program has beaten a No. 1 ranked team in three attempts.

South Carolina arrives in Clemson as a powerhouse, carrying the status of three-time National Champions and a 2026 Final Four finalist. While Clemson trails 38-32 in the all-time series, the Tigers are looking to break a long drought against their in-state rivals. The program hasn’t secured a win against the Gamecocks since a 94-92 victory on Nov. 19, 2009, Clemson University Athletics reported.

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The momentum at Littlejohn

Clemson’s recent form suggests they are no longer the easy out they were during last year’s meeting with South Carolina, when the Tigers fell 65-37. The team is currently riding a three-game winning streak and has turned Littlejohn Coliseum into a difficult environment for visitors, boasting a 15-1 home record through their last 16 games.

Individual performances have driven this recent surge. Junior forward Edie Clarke recorded her second career double-double in the last outing, posting 15 points and 11 rebounds. Senior forward Jenna Lawrence contributed 12 points, including four three-pointers, to help secure the recent blowout win.

New players and administrative rulings have strengthened the Tigers' roster. On Oct. 23, the NCAA granted graduate guard Mia Moore eligibility for the 2026-27 season, providing a veteran presence for Coach Shawn Poppie’s second season at the helm. Moore recently recorded a team-high six assists in the win against UNC Greensboro.

NCAA women's basketball game preview: #1 South Carolina at Clemson — Redneck Sports

The program’s long-term trajectory is supported by high-level recruiting and infrastructure. The incoming 2026-27 freshman class—comprised of Meeyah Green, Kimora Fields, and Julia Scott—is the highest-ranked in program history, landing at 9th nationally according to 247 Sports and 13th according to ESPN. This talent arrives alongside a revamped facility following summer renovations that converted Swann Pavilion into a dedicated home for the women’s basketball program.

Statistical context of the series

Metric	Clemson Tigers	South Carolina Gamecocks
All-time Series Record	32	38
Last Meeting Score	37	65
Last Clemson Win	94 (2009)	92 (2009)
Current AP Ranking	Unranked	No. 1

While the historical data favors South Carolina, the current Clemson squad features one of the most decorated transfer portal classes in recent memory. The group, ranked 14th by USA Today Sports/Mitchell Northam, includes Mackenzie Nelson from Virginia Tech, Taliyah Henderson from North Carolina, Jenna Lawrence from Arkansas, Edie Clarke from Saint Mary’s, and Yakiya Milton from Southern Cal.

Critics might argue that the gap between a Final Four contender and a rebuilding program remains too wide to bridge in a single night. However, the Tigers’ schedule suggests they are preparing for exactly this level of scrutiny. Beyond this Thursday, Clemson is slated to face 10 programs that competed in last season’s NCAA Tournament, including Kentucky, Duke, Notre Dame, and North Carolina.

The Tigers face a busy schedule of ACC and non-conference games. Following the South Carolina game, Clemson will travel to the 2026 Daytona Beach Classic to face Robert Morris on Nov. 26 and Georgetown on Nov. 27. The team will also participate in the fourth annual SEC/ACC Challenge against Kentucky at Rupp Arena on Dec. 3.

Tipoff for the Palmetto Series Clash is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, with the game airing live on ESPN2, the Clemson Athletic Network, and SiriusXM.