No. 1 South Carolina defeats No. 12 North Carolina 84-39

The No. 1 South Carolina women’s basketball team defeated No. 12 North Carolina 84-39 on Sunday, November 8, 2026, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte. The Gamecocks dominated the matchup, outscoring the Tar Heels by 45 points to maintain their top ranking.

South Carolina controlled the tempo from the opening tip, building a lead that eventually became insurmountable. According to ESPN, the Gamecocks’ efficiency was evident in their shooting, finishing the game with a 45.3% field goal percentage compared to UNC’s 25.0%.

How did South Carolina build the lead?

The Gamecocks established dominance early in the contest. Greenvilleonline.com reported that South Carolina led 15-10 after the first quarter, but they pulled away significantly in the second period by outscoring North Carolina 19-7.

By the end of the third quarter, the margin had widened to 40 points, with South Carolina holding a 66-26 advantage. The Gamecocks’ offensive versatility was highlighted by several key contributors.

South Carolina vs. North Carolina Game Highlights | 2026-27 ACC Women's Basketball

Chloe Kitts led the South Carolina scoring with 17 points, shooting 7-for-11 from the field, as reported by Greenvilleonline.com. Kitts, who is in her second regular-season game following an ACL injury last year, also recorded nine rebounds.

Other notable performances for the Gamecocks included Joyce Edwards, who scored 15 points, and Tessa Johnson, who contributed 12 points. Jordan Lee added 9 points and 6 rebounds to the effort.

No. 1 South Carolina defeats No. 12 North Carolina 84-39 — Photo: espn.com

What were the North Carolina statistics?

North Carolina struggled to find rhythm against the No. 1 ranked defense. The Tar Heels finished the game shooting just 15-for-60 from the field.

Nyla Brooks was the leading scorer for North Carolina, totaling 13 points on 4-for-10 shooting. Kate Harpring added 8 points and 7 rebounds during her 32 minutes of play.

The following table compares the primary scoring and shooting totals for the two teams:

North Carolina Tar Heels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks | Full Highlight | ESPN College Basketball

Team	Total Points	Field Goals Made-Att	3-Point FG Made-Att	Free Throws Made-Att	Total Rebounds
South Carolina	84	29-64	6-16	20-25	49
North Carolina	39	15-60	6-28	3-7	33

Who contributed to the Gamecocks’ dominance?

South Carolina’s depth was a deciding factor in the blowout. In addition to Kitts and Edwards, Agot Makeer contributed 9 points, and Jerzy Robinson added 10 points, including three made three-pointers.

The Gamecocks also showed strength on the boards. Ashlyn Watkins recorded 10 rebounds, while Ayla McDowell added 5 rebounds and 5 made free throws.

South Carolina's Dawn Staley, Chloe Kitts, Jordan Lee Postgame Press Conference After UNC Win

The atmosphere in Charlotte included a warm reception for Oliviyah Edwards, who entered the game in the first quarter. Greenvilleonline.com noted that fans cheered loudly for Edwards following her decommitment from Tennessee in April.

What challenges did UNC face?

The Tar Heels struggled to maintain offensive consistency. After a competitive first quarter, the team’s shooting percentage dropped as the Gamecocks’ defense tightened.

North Carolina’s struggles were reflected in their turnover margin and rebounding deficit. The team recorded 24 turnovers compared to South Carolina’s 12, and they were out-rebounded 49 to 33.

What are the upcoming games?

South Carolina will look to maintain their momentum as they head into their next matchups. According to Greenvilleonline.com, the Gamecocks are scheduled to play at Clemson on November 12, followed by a home game against Southern California on November 15.

North Carolina’s schedule includes a game against Clemson on November 12 at 7 p.m. on ESPN2. The Tar Heels will also host Southern California on November 17 at 1 p.m. via ABC.