South Carolina squeezes out a victory on opening night of women's basketball

The top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks opened their 2026-27 women's basketball season with an impressive 101-93 victory over No. 20 Maryland on Monday in Paris, France. Joyce Edwards led the way with 23 points, helping South Carolina withstand a determined second-half comeback by the Terrapins.

South Carolina established control early, showcasing its athleticism and defensive pressure. The Gamecocks opened the contest by making their first seven shots and finished the first quarter with a commanding 33-13 advantage. Their transition offense proved particularly effective, producing 27 fast-break points and 21 points off turnovers in the opening half.

Edwards found her rhythm in the second quarter, scoring 13 first-half points after missing her first two attempts. She finished 6-of-8 in the period, including a buzzer-beating jumper that helped South Carolina take a commanding 61-33 halftime lead.

Maryland refused to go quietly. Addi Mack delivered a spectacular second-half performance, scoring 31 of her career-high 35 points after halftime. She finished 14-of-20 from the field and connected on six three-pointers. Her offensive explosion helped the Terrapins cut a 31-point deficit to single digits late in the fourth quarter.

However, Dawn Staley's Gamecocks responded when challenged, putting together a crucial 7-0 run following a timeout to regain control.

Edwards finished with 23 points, while Agot Mateer contributed 20. Jerzy Robinson and Tessa Johnson added 15 points apiece, and Jordan Lee chipped in 13.

South Carolina's balanced scoring and early dominance ultimately proved decisive. The Gamecocks begin their season with a statement victory, demonstrating their offensive firepower and ability to withstand adversity against a ranked opponent.