South Carolina women’s basketball held off a second-half surge by Maryland to secure a 101-93 victory in Paris, overcoming a 31-point lead that nearly evaporated. The No. 1-ranked Gamecocks led by as many as 31 points in the first half but saw their advantage shrink to single digits in the fourth quarter before sealing the win.
The game, played at the Oui-Play event in Adidas Arena, featured a dominant opening period for South Carolina, which made its first seven shots and outscored Maryland 33-14 in the first quarter. The Terrapins, led by sophomore guard Addi Mack’s 35 points, clawed back in the second half, cutting the lead to six points in the final minute. Despite the rally, South Carolina’s defense held strong to preserve the victory.
Lead Shrinks in Second Half
South Carolina’s lead dwindled as Maryland outscored the Gamecocks 26-15 in the third quarter, narrowing the gap from 31 points to 19. The Terrapins’ 17 points in the third quarter, all by Mack, highlighted their offensive surge. By the fourth quarter, Maryland had trimmed the lead to nine points, with Jordyn Jackson hitting a 3-pointer to make it 89-80 with 4:30 remaining.
The Gamecocks’ offense cooled in the third quarter, shooting 5-for-18 compared to Maryland’s 11-for-19. South Carolina’s lead was 78-59 at the end of the third, but the Terrapins continued their push, outscoring the Gamecocks by 10 points in the fourth to make it 96-80 with under two minutes left. South Carolina’s Agot Makeer, who scored a career-high 20 points, helped stabilize the offense, including a breakaway layup that extended the lead to 96-80 with 2:58 remaining.
Key Performances Highlight Game
Makeer, a sophomore guard, was instrumental in South Carolina’s win, shooting 8-for-10 from the field and making four 3-pointers. Joyce Edwards added 23 points, while Tessa Johnson and Jordan Lee contributed 15 and 13 points, respectively. Maryland’s Mack, who scored 17 of her 35 points in the third quarter, was the Terrapins’ primary scoring threat.
South Carolina’s shooting efficiency was a factor in the win, as the team shot 49.3% from the field and 50% from 3-point range. The Gamecocks’ starters accounted for all but one of the team’s 22 bench points, with Jerzy Robinson contributing 15 of those. Coach Dawn Staley acknowledged Maryland’s effort, noting that the Terrapins “attacked the heart of our defense” in the second half.
South Carolina Women open season with 101-93 win over Maryland in Paris https://t.co/7FvA9mg4UP via @scsportsnow
— https://x.com/SCSportsNow/status/2117380175013044353
Context of the Victory
The win marked South Carolina’s first game of the 2026-27 season, following a 29-point victory over Notre Dame in Paris in 2023. The Gamecocks, now 1-0, will face No. 12 North Carolina on Sunday. Maryland, ranked No. 20, struggled to maintain consistency after a strong first half, allowing South Carolina to escape with the win despite a late rally.
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Dawn Staley and South Carolina are BACK 🔥Watch the Gamecocks play Maryland in Paris NOW on ESPN and the ESPN App 🍿 pic.twitter.com/OIhlSv0Y1a
— https://x.com/espn/status/2117302083820941558
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