South Carolina Survives Maryland’s Second-Half Comeback to Open Season With 101-93 Victory in Paris
The No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks began their 2026-27 season with an impressive offensive performance, defeating No. 20 Maryland 101-93 in Paris. Although Dawn Staley’s team looked dominant for much of the contest, a determined second-half push from the Terrapins turned what appeared to be a comfortable victory into a tense finish.
South Carolina built a commanding advantage, leading by as many as 31 points early in the third quarter. However, Maryland refused to surrender, gradually reducing the deficit behind a remarkable scoring performance from sophomore Addie Mack.
The Terrapins made several late attempts to complete the comeback, but South Carolina found enough answers down the stretch to secure its first victory of the season.
South Carolina Starts Fast and Takes Control
The Gamecocks wasted little time establishing their dominance. They connected on their first seven field-goal attempts, including two early three-pointers from Agot Makeer.
That explosive opening allowed South Carolina to score the first eight points and quickly build a 24-5 advantage before finally missing a shot.
The Gamecocks’ early offensive rhythm created significant problems for Maryland. South Carolina pushed the pace, moved the ball effectively and took advantage of scoring opportunities to establish control.
At one point, the lead reached 21 points in the opening quarter. Maryland managed to make a couple of runs in the second period, cutting the margin to 12 on two occasions, but the Gamecocks responded and carried a commanding 28-point advantage into halftime.
It appeared South Carolina was on its way to a comfortable opening-night victory.
Tessa Johnson Extends the Lead Before Maryland Responds
South Carolina continued its strong start after halftime when Tessa Johnson opened the third quarter with a three-pointer.
That basket pushed the Gamecocks’ advantage to its largest margin of the afternoon, giving them a 31-point cushion.
However, Maryland began making adjustments that changed the rhythm of the game.
The Terrapins became more effective offensively, shooting 11-of-21 from the field in the third quarter. Their improved shooting also helped them establish opportunities to apply full-court defensive pressure.
That pressure made it more difficult for South Carolina to get out in transition. The Gamecocks, who had been effective running the floor earlier, managed just five fast-break points in the second half.
Maryland’s adjustments gradually began to produce results, even though South Carolina still entered the fourth quarter with a 19-point lead.
Addie Mack Leads Maryland’s Comeback Attempt
The biggest challenge for South Carolina came from sophomore guard Addie Mack, who delivered a remarkable scoring performance.
Mack finished with a career-high 35 points, scoring 31 of them after halftime. Her offensive production gave Maryland the confidence to keep attacking despite the substantial deficit.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Terrapins put together an 8-0 scoring run, reducing South Carolina’s advantage to 89-80.
It was the first time Maryland had brought the margin into single digits since the 7:27 mark of the opening quarter.
With the momentum beginning to shift, Staley called a timeout to regroup her team.
Gamecocks Answer Under Pressure
South Carolina responded exactly when it needed to.
Following Staley’s timeout, the Gamecocks produced a 7-0 run, rebuilding their advantage to 96-80 with approximately three minutes remaining.
However, Maryland was not finished.
Facing the clock and needing points quickly, the Terrapins launched another offensive surge, scoring 10 unanswered points to pull within six with just 43 seconds left.
The comeback attempt created a tense closing stretch, but South Carolina’s newcomers stepped forward at the free-throw line.
Freshman Jerzy Robinson and transfer Jordan Lee combined to make five of their six free-throw attempts, helping the Gamecocks protect their advantage and close out the 101-93 victory.
Their composure in the final moments proved important as Maryland continued searching for a way back into the contest.
What the Victory Means for South Carolina
The win gives South Carolina a successful start to its new campaign, but the performance also provides several areas for Staley and her coaching staff to evaluate.
The Gamecocks demonstrated their offensive firepower, opened the game with excellent shooting and built a substantial lead against a ranked opponent.
However, Maryland’s second-half response exposed some challenges South Carolina will need to address, particularly when opponents apply sustained defensive pressure.
The Terrapins’ full-court press disrupted the Gamecocks’ transition opportunities, while their improved third-quarter shooting helped them regain confidence.
South Carolina also received an encouraging contribution from its newcomers. Robinson and Lee delivered important free throws when the game was on the line, showing their ability to contribute during a pressure-filled finish.
Ultimately, the Gamecocks accomplished their primary objective: opening the season with a victory over a ranked opponent. The 101-93 result may not have been as comfortable as the early lead suggested, but South Carolina showed it could respond when challenged.
The opening performance offered a glimpse of the team’s offensive potential while reminding everyone that maintaining control for all four quarters will be essential as the season progresses.
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