South Carolina
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (11/07/2026) — Chloe Kitts posted a double-double, Jerzy Robinson erupted from three-point range, and the South Carolina Gamecocks delivered a commanding 84-39 victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels at Spectrum Center on Saturday before a crowd of 11,530.
How It Happened
North Carolina actually drew first blood when Blanca Thomas converted a layup off an Achol Akot assist with 9:44 remaining in the first quarter, giving the Tar Heels an early 2-0 edge. That was the last time UNC would have the advantage. South Carolina responded with a surge that carried throughout the opening period, and Kitts capped the quarter with a 16-foot jumper off an Ashlyn Watkins feed, pushing the Gamecocks to a 15-10 lead at the break.
South Carolina tightened its grip in the second quarter. Kitts opened the period with a close-range bucket to make it 17-10, and the Gamecocks steadily pushed the margin outward. Tessa Johnson drilled a 25-foot three-pointer off a Kelsi Andrews assist to extend the lead to 25-12 at the 5:17 mark. North Carolina's Nyla Brooks answered with a 24-foot three late in the half to cut into the deficit at 32-17, but Agot Makeer hit both free throws before the break, leaving South Carolina with a 34-17 advantage heading into halftime.
The third quarter is where the contest was effectively decided. Joyce Edwards opened the second half with a layup off a Jordan Lee assist to push the lead to 36-17. North Carolina's Brooks and Kate Harpring briefly traded threes — Harpring's 23-footer off a Reniya Kelly assist made it 40-20, followed by Brooks connecting again to bring UNC within 42-23 — but South Carolina responded with an authoritative 12-0 run that stretched the advantage from 44-23 all the way to 54-25. Robinson punctuated that burst with a 24-footer off a Kitts assist at 4:26, and Makeer added a 23-foot three off a Robinson assist at 3:28 to put the Gamecocks up 57-26. Robinson then buried a 26-foot three-pointer with 1:07 left in the quarter, and South Carolina entered the fourth leading 66-26.
Turning Point
The 12-0 run bridging the mid-third quarter was the sequence that removed any remaining uncertainty. South Carolina outrebounded North Carolina 48-33 for the game, converted 45 percent of its field goal attempts compared to just 25 percent for the Tar Heels, and held a decisive 12-to-24 edge in turnovers — a differential that generated extended possessions and open looks throughout the third period. Once that run concluded, the game's outcome was no longer in doubt.
Star of the Game
Chloe Kitts was the central force in South Carolina's offensive execution. The forward finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds — a full double-double — while adding two assists and setting the tone for the Gamecocks' physical interior presence. Kitts was involved in multiple key sequences, including the assist to Robinson on the 24-foot three that ignited the pivotal third-quarter run. Joyce Edwards contributed 15 points and four rebounds in a complementary role, while Tessa Johnson added 12 points and Robinson finished with 10 points, two rebounds, and two assists.
For North Carolina, Nyla Brooks provided the brightest individual performance with 13 points and four rebounds, connecting on three triples over the game's final two quarters. Kate Harpring chipped in eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists, and both Blanca Thomas and Gabby White added six points apiece — but the Tar Heels' 25 percent shooting from the field and 24 turnovers prevented any sustained scoring runs.
What It Means
South Carolina's depth and execution were on full display at Spectrum Center. The Gamecocks used efficient ball movement — 13 assists on the night — and stout defensive pressure to force 24 turnovers while protecting their own possessions at a much higher rate. The 45-point margin reflects how thoroughly South Carolina controlled every phase of the contest.
For North Carolina, the 39-point output and 25 percent field goal shooting represent an area that will require attention moving forward in the 2026 season. The Tar Heels will need to sharpen their ball security and shooting efficiency to compete in games against elite defensive opposition.
