No. 2 South Carolina evened up its season series with SEC rival No. 4 Texas, toughing out a 68-65 win over the Longhorns in Columbia. The Gamecocks finally created some separation on a 3-pointer by Madina Okot with 3:32 remaining in the fourth quarter, making it a two-possession game.

Raven Johnson sunk the dagger, spinning herself free in the low post for a layup that gave South Carolina a 64-59 lead with 1:07 left in regulation. She then followed up with the clincher, hitting a floater in the lane with 23.1 seconds to restore a five-point lead at 66-61.

The game was a defensive grind, with both teams frequently turning over the ball. Texas committed 22 turnovers, while South Carolina had 20 on their side. Rori Harmon led the Longhorns with three steals, while Joyce Edwards had the same number for the Gamecocks.

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The defeat was the second straight for Texas, which lost 70-65 at No. 12 LSU on Sunday. Coach Vic Schaefer’s team had won 17 consecutive games following a loss before Thursday night. Prior to Sunday, the Longhorns began the season 18-0.

Edwards led South Carolina with 14 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals. (She also had 6 turnovers.) Tessa Johnson followed with 13 points, shooting 4-of-5 (including 3-of-4 on 3-pointers) from the floor. Ta’Niya Latson added 12 points. Five players scored in double figures for the Gamecocks, who improved to 18-1 for the season.

Madison Booker scored a game-high 24 points with 5 rebounds for Texas. She has 40 total points in her two matchups with South Carolina this season. Harmon finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists. Jordan Lee was the only other Longhorn to score in double figures, tallying 10 points.

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Gamecocks fight back to tie before the half

South Carolina tied the game at halftime when Edwards was fouled trying to lay in an offensive rebound just before the buzzer. Replay confirmed that the foul by Booker occurred before the clock ran out and Edwards made both of her free throws to knot the score at 32-32.

The opportunity to tie came when Edwards stole a pass from Longhorns forward Justice Carlton. It was the fifth consecutive Texas possession that ended in a turnover, allowing South Carolina to make a 7-0 run to end the half. Altogether, Texas had 14 turnovers in the game’s first 20 minutes. (The Gamecocks had 10 turnovers of their own.)

Freshman Alicia Tournebize debuts for Gamecocks

French star Alicia Tournebize made her freshman debut for South Carolina in the game. The 6-foot-7 forward entered the game with 5:57 remaining in the first quarter. Tournebize is the first French women’s basketball player to dunk in a contest, but did not get a opportunity to do so against Texas.

She only played five minutes in her Gamecocks debut, recording no points or rebounds and committing two personal fouls.

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Familiar foes

Thursday’s matchup was the fifth between the two SEC contenders in the past year. Last season, South Carolina went 3-1 versus Texas, including the SEC championship game and a meeting in the Final Four of the NCAA women’s tournament.

The Longhorns won the first matchup between the top five teams, 66-64, in Austin, Texas. Harmon hit a jumper with one second left to give the Gamecocks their first loss of the season. Lee led Texas with 19 points, while Booker added 16 points and 9 rebounds.

The Gamecocks will next host Coppin State (4-15) on Sunday, taking a break from SEC play. Also on Sunday, Texas will try to avoid its third straight defeat as it hosts in-state rival Texas A&M (8-5).