Sophomore Tessa Johnson led the charge for USC with a career-high 22 points, while junior Chloe Kitts chipped in with a double-double of 17 points and 10 boards. Senior Te-Hina Paopao had 15 points, five assists and four rebounds.

Just when it looked like South Carolina had survived getting run over by No. 17 Mississippi State for the first 13 minutes of Saturday’s SEC opener, the Bulldogs

Zachary Davis scored 22 points and Collin Murray-Boyles was held to five points on 2-for-9 shooting for South Carolina (10-4). South Carolina shot 29% (16 for 55) and was 2 for 19 from 3-point distance. The Gamecocks had 14 turnovers and shot 16 for 23 from the line.