Down to the final seconds of a tight and tense game, the South Carolina Gamecocks showed why they remain one of the elite programs in the country rallying past the Louisville Cardinals 79-77 on Wednesday in the ACC/SEC Challenge at the KFC Yum! Center. The Gamecocks went on a crucial 6-0 run over the final 1:33 to reclaim the lead and secure the win.
Trailing 73-68 with 4:11 remaining in the fourth quarter, Louisville looked ready to pull off the upset after a 5–0 Cardinal run had given them their largest lead of the night. But South Carolina led by senior guard Raven Johnson responded with control.
Johnson scored 11 points with 8 assists and 4 rebounds while playing 38 minutes, providing leadership when it mattered most. Her final basket, a layup with 33 seconds left gave the Gamecocks a 78-75 lead and helped capped their late surge.
The game featured plenty of momentum swings. South Carolina opened with a 6-0 run to end the first quarter, 27-25. The Cardinals responded with opportunities in the second quarter, but by halftime the Gamecocks led 45-39 behind a strong showing from Tessa Johnson and solid inside work from forward Madina Okot.
Louisville mounted a comeback in the third including a 13-2 run that erased an 11-point deficit and entered the fourth down 1 63-62 after a steal and quick lay-in by guard Imari Berry.
But when it counted, South Carolina’s experience with Johnson orchestrating at point guard and Okot dominating inside prevailed.
For Louisville, forward Elif Istanbulluoglu finished with 15 points and 9 rebounds, while forward Taj Roberts added 20.
For South Carolina, the win preserves their early-season momentum and highlights why Johnson remains the face of the Gamecocks. With many greats before her, now, she’s doing everything she can to lead her own group to the same standard.
With this hard-fought victory, the Gamecocks improve to 8-1 on the season and maintain their national reputation showcased by control, experience and leadership.
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