Top-Ranked South Carolina Defeats No. 20 Maryland 101-93 in Paris Season Opener

Top-ranked South Carolina opened its season with a thrilling 101-93 victory over No. 20 Maryland on Monday at the Adidas Arena in Paris, France. The matchup served as part of the Oui-Play doubleheader and delivered high-scoring action on international soil, matching two elite college basketball programs in front of an energetic crowd.

The Gamecocks seized control early, dominating the first half through relentless fast-break opportunities and capitalizing on Maryland turnovers. South Carolina raced out to a 61-33 advantage by halftime, fueled by strong shooting and a 27-point output in fast breaks during the opening 20 minutes alone. Joyce Edwards found her rhythm in the second quarter after missing her initial shots, scoring 13 of her team-high 23 points before the break.

Despite falling behind by as many as 31 points, Maryland mounted a ferocious rally in the second half. Addi Mack spearheaded the comeback effort for the Terrapins, exploding for 31 of her career-high 35 points in the final two quarters. Mack shot 14 of 20 from the field, including six 3-pointers, slowly chipping away at the deficit.

Maryland managed to cut South Carolina's lead down to single digits at 89-80 with 4:30 remaining in the contest. The surge prompted South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley to call a timeout to stabilize her squad. The brief stoppage successfully halted Maryland's momentum, as the Gamecocks immediately responded with a crucial 7-0 run.

Although the Terrapins trimmed the margin to six points late in the game at 96-90, clutch free throw shooting from Jordan Lee and Jerzy Robinson secured the victory for South Carolina. Alongside Edwards' 23 points, Agot Mateer contributed 20 points, Robinson and Tessa Johnson each added 15, and Lee chipped in 13 to round out a balanced offensive attack for the top-ranked team.

The game held special significance for two South Carolina players returning to their home country. Sophomore Alicia Tournebize and freshman Justine Loubens experienced a true homecoming on French soil, with Loubens contributing a steal and an assist during the second-quarter stretch.

Looking ahead to their next matchups, South Carolina will travel to face No. 12 North Carolina on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Meanwhile, Maryland will return home to host George Mason on Sunday.