
South Carolina Gamecocks. Photo: USC Gamecocks
South Carolina Overcomes Double-Digit Deficit to Rout Mississippi State 95-68
STARKVILLE, Miss. — Chloe Kitts posted a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds, leading No. 2 South Carolina to a 95-68 comeback victory over Mississippi State on Sunday. The Gamecocks overcame an early double-digit deficit to remain unbeaten in Southeastern Conference play.
Mississippi State (13-3, 0-2 SEC) held an 11-point lead midway through the second quarter before South Carolina (13-1, 2-0 SEC) seized control. The Gamecocks outscored the Bulldogs 19-2 in the final five minutes of the first half, turning the deficit into a 42-34 lead at the break. South Carolina continued its dominance in the third quarter, outscoring the Bulldogs 26-11 to secure the win.
Tessa Johnson paced South Carolina with 20 points, including four 3-pointers. Te-Hina Paopao added 15 points, five assists, and four rebounds, while Joyce Edwards contributed 10 points. Jerkaila Jordan led Mississippi State with 24 points, followed by Destiney McPhaul with 14 off the bench and Eniya Russell with 12.

Key Highlights
- South Carolina extended its record to 49 consecutive regular-season SEC victories, ranking eighth in NCAA history for conference win streaks. Including SEC Tournament play, the Gamecocks have won 40 straight, also a league record.
- After trailing by 11 points in the second quarter, the Gamecocks responded with a 16-0 run, their largest comeback of the season.
- The Gamecocks shot 53.8% (35-for-65) from the field, marking their second-highest shooting percentage of the season.
- Tessa Johnson recorded a career-high 22 points, scoring 16 in the first half. She tied her career-best with four 3-pointers, all during the decisive second-quarter run.
- Chloe Kitts secured her fourth double-double of the season with a new SEC career-high of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Seven of her points came during the pivotal second quarter, including a game-tying basket that set up a 25-2 run.
- Te-Hina Paopao notched her third straight game in double figures, tallying 15 points, including three 3-pointers.
- Freshman Joyce Edwards recorded her ninth double-digit scoring game of the season and her fourth in the last five games.
- Raven Johnson provided a spark on both ends, finishing with nine points, a team-high five assists, and tying her career-high with five steals—the most by any Gamecock this season.

The Gamecocks will look to extend their winning streak when they return to action next week.
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