Kitts’ second-straight double-double powers Gamecocks past Clemson

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Tessa Johnson scored 13 points, Chloe Kitts had 12 points and 12 rebounds and No. 1 South Carolina pulled away for its 16th straight victory over state rival Clemson, 65-44 on Thursday night.

The Gamecocks (3-0) looked out of sync in the opening half and were only up 30-21 at the break. That changed after halftime as South Carolina turned things up on both sides to outscore the Tigers 21-7 and hold its opponent to 0-of-7 shooting in the period.

Johnson scored nine of her points in the third quarter while Kitts posted her second straight double-double and the 19th of her career.

The Tigers (3-1) used some inspired defense to stay in it. Things, though, fell apart as Johnson and Kitts combined for 13 points in the first six minutes of the quarter to build a 44-22 lead that Clemson could not come back from.

South Carolina came into this off dominant wins over then-No. 20 Maryland and then-No. 12 North Carolina last week. But the Gamecocks struggled in the opening half against the Tigers’ defense and shot less than 40 percent.

Texas transfer and starter Jordan Lee hit three of four shots and Chloe Kitts was 3 of 5 from the field. The rest of the Gamecocks starting lineup went 3 of 13 the first 20 minutes, including Johnson missing six straight shots after opening with a 3-pointer.

But the strong third quarter put the game away and sent the Gamecocks away with a bit of confidence coming into marquee game Sunday against Southern Cal and preseason All-American JuJu Watkins on Sunday in Greenville.

GAMECOCK NOTABLES

South Carolina’s defense held Clemson to single digits in the second and third quarters, including no field goals in the third.
The Gameccks closed the game shooting 60.0 percent (6-of-10) from the field in the fourth quarter.
Fifth-year forward Chloe Kitts posted her second double-double in as many games. She recorded six points and five rebounds in the third quarter alone.
Tessa Johnson’s team-high 13 points featured nine in the third quarter to power the Gamecocks to a manageable lead.
Alicia Tournebize returned from an injury that kept her out of the game against North Carolina to post eight points on 4-of-5 shooting to go with three rebounds and three blocks – all in 13 minutes of action.
Junior forward Joyce Edwards shook off a tough shooting night to hand out a team-high four assists and pick up three steals.