South Carolina Escapes With Dramatic 68-65 Victory Behind Late-Game Heroics
Source: On3
In a battle that lived up to every bit of its top-five billing, #2 South Carolina survived a nail-biting slugfest against #4 Texas, 68-65, thanks to clutch performances from unlikely heroes when the pressure peaked.
Raven Johnson emerged as the ice-in-her-veins closer, delivering two critical baskets in the final 1:07 that sealed the Gamecocks’ victory in front of a raucous home crowd. But the real game-changer? A three-pointer from 6-foot-5 center Madina Okot—her third of the entire season—that Texas practically begged her to take.
The Play That Changed Everything
With the game knotted at 55 entering the fourth quarter’s media timeout, both teams traded blows like heavyweight boxers. Madison Booker gave Texas a brief lead before Ta’Niya Latson attacked the rim. Though she missed, Joyce Edwards converted the putback into an old-fashioned three-point play.
Then came the moment that shifted momentum permanently.
Texas’s defense abandoned Okot on the perimeter, daring the big to shoot. She didn’t hesitate.
“I’ve been practicing for it in practices,” Okot said. “I was like, I’m wide open, let me try it, and it went in.”
Swish. South Carolina led 61-57 with 3:41 remaining—a 6-0 run that gave the Gamecocks just enough cushion.
Texas coach Vic Schaefer knew immediately what had happened: “Probably the play of the game is Okot’s three. Other than that, it was a heavyweight title fight.”
Dawn Staley agreed on its importance: “She couldn’t have hit it at a more important time, for her and for us. She’s got to take something from this game that she can feel good about.”
Raven Johnson’s Closing Statement
After Jordan Lee cut the lead to two, Raven Johnson took over down the stretch. With the shot clock winding down and South Carolina nursing a slim advantage, Johnson backed down Rori Harmon, pump-faked, and scored right at the buzzer to push the lead to 64-59.
Staley admitted the basket wasn’t drawn up: “Raven’s a playmaker. I did ask her after the game, what was she thinking in that moment. She was like, she was upset that she missed Joyce on one of the earlier plays. (…) I guess that meant, I’m going to shoot it instead of pass it, and she actually delivered.”
Johnson’s mindset was pure competitor: “When they blow up some of your teammates, you’ve got to put your head down and create. I was proud of our defense. Our defense was really solid. It came down to will and grit.”
Johnson finished with 10 points, a team-high six assists, four rebounds, and a block—six of those points coming in the decisive fourth quarter.
Free Throws and Grit
After Booker cut it to one possession with a putback, Texas fouled Okot—a 64.9% free throw shooter. She missed the first but calmly drilled the second to give South Carolina a two-possession cushion and essentially ice the game.
It was a stark contrast to South Carolina’s loss in Las Vegas, where they missed three of four crucial free throws late. On Thursday, the Gamecocks went 18-26 from the stripe overall and 6-9 in the fourth quarter when it mattered most.
All Hands On Deck
All five Gamecock starters reached double figures. Joyce Edwards led with 14 points and eight rebounds despite shooting just 3-11, adding three steals and two blocks. Tessa Johnson contributed 13 points on efficient 4-5 shooting, while Latson added 12 points and three assists, using her quickness to create easy looks.
For Texas, Harmon started hot with 12 first-half points (16 total), while Booker took over in the second half, finishing with a game-high 24 points, 17 coming after halftime.
The Battle That Never Quite Was
Despite the hype around a post battle, Texas’s bigs Breya Cunningham and Kyla Oldacre combined for just nine points and eight rebounds. South Carolina rotated Okot, Adhel Tac, and highly-anticipated freshman Alicia Tournebize, who made her debut playing just under five minutes total.
Both teams struggled with ball security—Texas committed a season-high 22 turnovers while South Carolina had 20. The Gamecocks capitalized better, scoring 23 points off turnovers to Texas’s 15.
“We just couldn’t get to that moment where we got over the hump. We finally did with Madina’s three,” Staley reflected. “What I liked is we won the game just gutting it out, making plays by different people.”
South Carolina (18-1, 5-0 SEC) next plays Sunday at Coppin State.
