No. 18 is surpassed by No. 2 South Carolina. Tennessee: Women’s basketball score and highlights

In a highly anticipated Southeastern Conference (SEC) clash, No. 18 Auburn faced an uphill battle against the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks on a night that showcased South Carolina’s dominance, the tenacity of Auburn’s effort, and the ever-growing rivalry between two elite programs. This game, while one-sided on the scoreboard, was a tale of resilience, star performances, and the evolving landscape of women’s college basketball. Ultimately, South Carolina’s power and poise proved too much for Auburn, who left the court after suffering a 78-59 defeat.

A Game That Was Set to Define the SEC Landscape

Heading into the contest, Auburn was riding high after a series of impressive victories, sitting at No. 18 in the rankings. The Tigers had a well-rounded team featuring standout players capable of giving any top-tier team a run for their money. On the other hand, South Carolina, led by their legendary head coach Dawn Staley, was one of the most dominant programs in the country. With two consecutive Final Four appearances under their belt and the presence of multiple All-American talents, the Gamecocks were poised to prove why they deserved to be ranked No. 2 in the nation.

Auburn entered this game with a strong defense, a solid offensive strategy, and a belief that they could challenge South Carolina’s high-powered attack. However, the Gamecocks’ combination of size, depth, and experience quickly demonstrated why they were one of the most complete teams in college basketball.

The Start of the Game: South Carolina Sets the Tone

From the opening tip, it was clear that South Carolina had control. Their defensive pressure was immediate and suffocating. Auburn, usually comfortable running their offense with fast breaks and perimeter shooting, was stifled by South Carolina’s aggressive defense. The Gamecocks showcased their trademark length and athleticism, closing out on shooters and forcing the Tigers into rushed shots. Auburn, unable to find a rhythm early, quickly found themselves trailing by double digits.

South Carolina’s defense, led by one of the top players in the country, Aliyah Boston, was impenetrable. Boston, the reigning National Player of the Year, was a defensive force, altering shots and grabbing rebounds at an extraordinary rate. Auburn struggled to get anything going inside against Boston, whose presence in the paint was overwhelming. With her ability to impact both ends of the floor, South Carolina’s defense created fast-break opportunities that fueled their offense.

Offensively, South Carolina was as dangerous as advertised. The Gamecocks were led by their talented junior forward, Zia Cooke, who proved to be an offensive juggernaut throughout the game. Cooke’s ability to score from anywhere on the court—whether driving to the basket or knocking down three-pointers—kept Auburn’s defense constantly on edge. Pairing Cooke’s perimeter game with Boston’s dominance inside, South Carolina was able to build a commanding lead in the first quarter, ending the period with a 24-11 advantage.

Auburn’s Struggle to Keep Up

Throughout the first half, Auburn found themselves unable to answer South Carolina’s intensity. While Auburn’s defense remained disciplined and hard-working, the offensive struggles were evident. The Tigers’ shooting percentage plummeted, as they shot just 30 percent from the field in the first half, and they were consistently out-rebounded by the Gamecocks.

Auburn’s head coach, Johnnie Harris, was visibly frustrated but remained positive, trying to find a spark for her team. Despite their shooting woes, Auburn managed to show some flashes of brilliance. Junior guard Honesty Scott-Grayson was one of the few players to consistently challenge South Carolina’s defense. She was aggressive off the dribble and attempted to create her own scoring opportunities. However, without much offensive help and facing a defense as tight as South Carolina’s, Scott-Grayson was often forced to take tough shots that didn’t fall.

By halftime, South Carolina had extended their lead to 43-22, with a combination of suffocating defense and efficient offense. Cooke had scored 12 points by the break, while Boston controlled the glass, adding six points and eight rebounds. For Auburn, Scott-Grayson had nine points, but she was the only player in double figures as the Tigers struggled to find any kind of offensive consistency.

South Carolina’s Mastery Continues in the Second Half

The second half saw little change in terms of Auburn’s ability to mount a serious challenge. South Carolina, demonstrating the poise and experience that have made them perennial contenders, continued to execute their game plan to near perfection. The Gamecocks opened the third quarter with a 10-0 run, which all but sealed the game. Auburn, unable to break the momentum, found themselves in a hole that was too deep to climb out of.

Aliyah Boston continued to dominate on both ends of the floor, finishing with an impressive double-double performance. Her ability to grab boards, block shots, and finish in the post was a key factor in South Carolina’s continued success. In addition, Cooke continued to shine as one of the most dangerous scorers in the country, knocking down crucial jumpers and scoring in transition.

Auburn, despite their best efforts, was simply overpowered. Although they managed to string together a few good possessions, particularly with the help of junior guard Kira Lewis, they were unable to stop South Carolina’s relentless attack. At times, the Gamecocks seemed to score at will, breaking Auburn’s defense down with ease and consistently hitting open shots. Auburn’s shooting woes continued, as they shot just 35 percent from the field in the second half.

Key Performances: South Carolina’s Stars Shine Bright

As expected, Aliyah Boston was the dominant figure in this matchup. The senior forward finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks, showcasing her all-around skills and showing why she is widely regarded as the best player in the country. Boston’s performance on both ends of the floor set the tone for South Carolina, and her rebounding prowess helped keep Auburn from generating any meaningful offensive flow.

Zia Cooke, too, was spectacular. The junior guard was on fire from the floor, finishing with 22 points, including several three-pointers that extended South Carolina’s lead. Cooke’s ability to score from any part of the court made her one of the most difficult players to guard, and she took full advantage of Auburn’s defensive lapses.

South Carolina’s bench also played a significant role in the win. Players like Laeticia Amihere and Bree Hall provided depth, coming off the bench to score and contribute on defense. Amihere’s physical presence inside added another layer of pressure on Auburn’s defense, and Hall’s perimeter shooting kept Auburn from collapsing on the inside.

For Auburn, Honesty Scott-Grayson was the bright spot, scoring a team-high 14 points. However, she was not able to get much help from her teammates. Kira Lewis added 10 points, but the Tigers struggled to generate offense outside of these two players. Defensively, Auburn fought hard, but South Carolina’s superior talent, depth, and coaching proved to be too much to overcome.

The Final Score: South Carolina 78, Auburn 59

In the final minutes of the game, South Carolina cruised to victory, finishing with a comfortable 78-59 win. The Gamecocks’ balance of defense and offense, led by the stellar performances from Boston and Cooke, ensured that they would remain firmly entrenched as one of the top teams in the country. With this victory, South Carolina proved why they deserved to be the second-ranked team in the nation and reaffirmed their status as one of the favorites to win the NCAA Tournament.

Looking Ahead: Auburn’s Continued Growth and South Carolina’s Championship Hopes

Despite the tough loss, Auburn’s season is far from over. The Tigers are a team with potential and will look to regroup after this defeat. Their defensive strategy will remain a cornerstone of their identity, and with further development from their offensive players, Auburn can still contend for a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Their future success will likely hinge on improving their shooting efficiency and continuing to develop the offensive chemistry that was missing in this game.

For South Carolina, this victory served as another statement that they are a force to be reckoned with. They will head into the remainder of their SEC schedule with a target on their backs, but with the leadership of Boston, Cooke, and head coach Dawn Staley, South Carolina is poised to make a deep run in the postseason. Their depth, talent, and experience make them the team to beat, and they will undoubtedly be a contender for the national championship as the season progresses.

As the SEC season continues, both teams will face more challenges, but this game was a clear demonstration of the divide between a top-tier program like South Carolina and a talented, but still developing, Auburn team. The road ahead for Auburn may be tough, but the Tigers have the potential to bounce back, while South Carolina will continue to solidify its place among the elite teams in women’s college basketball.