COLUMBIA, S. C. (AP) — A’ja Wilson scored 25 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1.3 seconds left, as No. 4 South Carolina rallied from 11 points down in the final 13 minutes to upend No.…
COLUMBIA, S. C. (AP) — A’ja Wilson scored 25 points, including the go-ahead basket with 1.3 seconds left, as No. 4 South Carolina rallied from 11 points down in the final 13 minutes to upend No. 22 Texas A&M 61-59 to open Southeastern Conference play Sunday.
The Gamecocks (12-1) looked like they were finished as the Aggies (11-4) took a 47-36 lead on Chennedy Carter’s 3-pointer with 2:32 to play in the third quarter. But South Carolina, behind their 6-foot-5 All-American in Wilson, used a 15-2 spurt to go up 51-49.
Texas A&M was not done. Danni Williams’ jumper with 1:05 to go gave the Aggies a final lead, 59-57, before Wilson tied things with a short jumper in the lane.
After two bad turnovers by the Aggies — a 10-second call and a double-dribble violation by Williams’ as she tried to gather in the ball — Wilson came through once more. She drove across the lane and banked in a short basket for the winning points.
Carter finished with 36 points — 19 of those in the third quarter — but was clearly out of gas as the game wound down. She was 1 of 7 in the final period.
Doniyah Cliney had a career high 16 points and Wilson added 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks as the Gamecocks won their fifth straight over Texas A&M.
THE BIG PICTURE
Texas A&M: The Aggies have relied on Carter to make things happen this season. She pushed the issue early, forcing several missed shots as she tried to penetrate South Carolina’s tall, long defenders. Carter was 6 of 18 in the opening half. The freshman will need to play under control if Texas A&M wants to compete in the SEC this season.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks are a different team with Wilson on the bench. South Carolina was in control and cruising, ahead 25-13 with Wilson dominating underneath. Once she picked up her second foul midway through the second quarter, the Gamecocks offense went with her. South Carolina managed just two points in the last eight minutes before the half.
UP NEXT
Texas A&M heads home to face Kentucky on Thursday night.
South Carolina plays its first SEC road game at Ole Miss on Thursday night.
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