STARKVILLE, Miss. — Chloe Kitts showcased her skills by putting up 17 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, playing a pivotal role in No. 2 South Carolina’s comeback victory over Mississippi State, winning 95-68 on Sunday.
The contest began with Mississippi State establishing an 11-point lead during the second quarter, but that advantage quickly evaporated. South Carolina dominated the ending minutes of the period, outscoring the Bulldogs 19-2, taking the lead, and ultimately heading into halftime ahead 42-34. From that point forward, the Gamecocks maintained their upper hand.
As the defending national champions, South Carolina increased their lead significantly, outscoring Mississippi State 26-11 in the third quarter, ensuring a commanding win. Alongside Kitts, Tessa Johnson contributed heavily with 20 points, sinking four three-pointers. Te-Hina PaoPao added 15 points, along with five assists and four rebounds, while Joyce Edwards chipped in 10 points.
For the Bulldogs, Jerkaila Jordan was the standout performer, leading her team with 24 points. Destiney McPhaul came off the bench to score 14, and Eniya Russell added 12 points to the effort.
Takeaways from the match painted a mixed picture for both teams. For Mississippi State, the initial momentum was impressive but ultimately faltered due to careless play, preventing them from achieving an upset. For South Carolina, they displayed strong potential, raising hopes for their chances to clinch another SEC and national title, especially in the last 25 minutes of the game.
A pivotal moment in the game came just before halftime when South Carolina, trailing 34-28, embarked on an impressive 34-2 run that effectively decided the outcome. The Bulldogs’ struggles with turnovers, tallying 20 for the game, coupled with South Carolina’s hot shooting performance, particularly from beyond the arc where they made 10-of-21 three-pointers, played a significant role in the game’s outcome.
Looking ahead, Mississippi State will be facing off against No. 9 Oklahoma on Thursday, while the No. 2 Gamecocks are set to host Texas A&M in their next matchup.
