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11/12 20:13 CST No. 1 South Carolina beats Clemson 65-44 for its 16th straight
victory over the Tigers
No. 1 South Carolina beats Clemson 65-44 for its 16th straight victory over the
Tigers
By PETE IACOBELLI
Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) --- Tessa Johnson scored 13 points, Chloe Kitts had 12
points and 12 rebounds and No. 1 South Carolina pulled away for its 16th
straight victory over state rival Clemson, 65-44 on Thursday night.
The Gamecocks (3-0) looked out of synch in the opening half and were only up
30-21 at the break. That changed after halftime as South Carolina turned things
up on both sides to outscore the Tigers 21-7 and hold its opponent to 0-of-7
shooting in the period.
Johnson scored nine of her points in the third quarter while Kitts posted her
second straight double-double and the 19th of her career.
The Tigers (3-1) used some inspired defense to stay in it. Things, though, fell
apart as Johnson and Kitts combined for 13 points in the first six minutes of
the quarter to build a 44-22 lead that Clemson could not come back from.
South Carolina came into this off dominant wins over then-No. 20 Maryland and
then-No. 12 North Carolina last week. But the Gamecocks struggled in the
opening half against the Tigers' defense and shot less than 40 percent.
Texas transfer and starter Jordan Lee hit three of four shots and Chloe Kitts
was 3 of 5 from the field. The rest of the Gamecocks starting lineup went 3 of
13 the first 20 minutes, including Johnson missing six straight shots after
opening with a 3-pointer.
But the strong third quarter put the game away and sent the Gamecocks away with
a bit of confidence coming into marquee game Sunday against Southern Cal and
preseason All-American JuJu Watkins on Sunday in Greenville.
Up next South Carolina: Faces No. 3 Southern California on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. Clemson: Hosts Stetson on Sunday. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college basketball coverage here
Up next South Carolina: Faces No. 3 Southern California on Sunday in Greenville, South Carolina. Clemson: Hosts Stetson on Sunday. ___ Sign up for Top 25 poll alerts here, visit the Top 25 here and see AP's full college basketball coverage here
