CLEMSON, S.C. — Te-Hina Paopao scored 13 points, and Ashlyn Watkins contributed 10 points along with 11 rebounds, helping the top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks establish a new school record by clinching their 43rd consecutive victory with a decisive 77-45 win over rival Clemson on Wednesday evening.

The Gamecocks (5-0) experienced some initial difficulty in scoring and found themselves trailing 17-12 midway through the second quarter. However, they swiftly turned the game around with a remarkable 17-0 scoring spree, which allowed them to gain control as the half approached.

Previously, South Carolina’s longest winning streak had been 42 games, beginning with their triumph in the 2022 NCAA Tournament and extending to the 2023 Final Four, where they faced Iowa and lost by a narrow margin of 77-73.

This performance marked Watkins’ most impressive outing since returning from her suspension, showcasing her significant contributions to the team.

For Clemson (3-1), the standout player was Loyal McQueen, who led the team with 15 points in the contest.

Key Observations:

South Carolina: Following a win against East Carolina, head coach Dawn Staley noted the need for improvement in finishing layups. The same concerns arose again during the initial stages of the game against Clemson, indicating an area that needs urgent attention.

Clemson: Last season, the Tigers struggled significantly, facing a staggering loss of 109-40 against South Carolina. Under first-year coach Shawn Poppie, Clemson managed to pose a few challenges early in the game but ultimately succumbed to their 14th consecutive loss against this opponent.

Crucial Moment:

Clemson took a brief lead when Mia Moore hit a 3-pointer, pushing the score to 17-12 with five minutes remaining in the second quarter. This was the turning point for South Carolina, who found their rhythm to launch a 17-0 run heading into halftime. During this impressive stretch, the Gamecocks managed to convert 8 out of 15 shooting attempts, a significant improvement compared to their prior performance of just six made shots from 29 attempts.

Important Statistics:

Once again, South Carolina displayed their defensive prowess, forcing Clemson into a season-high number of turnovers with a total of 19, in addition to dominating the boards with a 54-30 rebounding advantage.

Looking Ahead:

The Gamecocks will be on the road facing No. 5 UCLA on Sunday, while Clemson is scheduled to compete against UAB at the Emerald Coast Classic on Monday.