SEC Sweeps ACC-SEC Challenge Games

In a thrilling ACC-SEC Challenge matchup, No. 3 South Carolina edged No. 22 Louisville 79-77 on Thursday night at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky, maintaining its strong nonconference start despite a hard-fought battle that featured 13 lead changes.

The Gamecocks, now 8-1, relied on senior forward Madina Okot's dominant performance of 23 points and 13 rebounds, including 13 points and 10 boards in the second half. With 1 minute, 33 seconds remaining, Okot's layup gave South Carolina a 76-75 advantage it would not relinquish. Louisville pulled within one at 78-77 after Imari Berry's two free throws with 23 seconds left, but the Gamecocks ran nearly 14 seconds off the clock before Okot made the first of two free throws to seal the victory. Tajianna Roberts missed a 3-pointer on the inbounds for Louisville, and Anaya Hardy could not secure the rebound for a final shot attempt.

Tessa Johnson added 20 points for South Carolina, hitting four 3-pointers and grabbing a season-high seven rebounds, while Raven Johnson contributed 11 points and eight assists. For the Cardinals, now 7-2, Roberts led with 20 points, and Elif Istanbulluoglu posted a career-high 15 points to go...