South Carolina opened its 2026-27 women’s basketball campaign with a statement victory, defeating No. 20 Maryland 101-93 in Paris, France. The top-ranked Gamecocks looked unstoppable during the opening half, built a commanding 31-point advantage and then had to withstand a furious Maryland comeback before securing the eight-point win.
Agot Makeer delivered a career-best performance for Dawn Staley’s team, while South Carolina’s offensive firepower proved decisive in a season opener that featured explosive scoring, defensive adjustments and a dramatic finish.
Maryland refused to disappear after falling behind by nearly 30 points. Sophomore Addie Mack erupted for a career-high 35 points, including 31 after halftime, giving the Terrapins a legitimate chance to steal the game late.
However, South Carolina found another gear whenever the pressure intensified.
South Carolina Comes Out Firing in Paris
The Gamecocks wasted little time establishing their dominance at the Adidas Arena.
South Carolina opened the contest by converting its first seven field-goal attempts, including two three-pointers from Makeer. The aggressive start immediately put Maryland on the back foot as the Gamecocks raced to an 8-0 advantage.
Their offensive rhythm was almost impossible to disrupt.
South Carolina moved the basketball efficiently, attacked the basket and punished Maryland whenever defensive rotations arrived late. Before the Terrapins could settle into the contest, the Gamecocks had stretched their advantage to 24-5.
The first quarter belonged entirely to Staley’s team.
South Carolina eventually pushed its lead to 21 points during the opening period, establishing the kind of separation that normally puts a game beyond reach.
Maryland attempted to respond in the second quarter, briefly cutting the deficit to 12 points on two occasions. But every time the Terrapins appeared ready to build momentum, South Carolina found an answer.
The Gamecocks continued attacking inside, using their size and athleticism to create difficult defensive assignments for Maryland.
By halftime, South Carolina had established a commanding 28-point advantage.
The scoreboard read 61-33, and the opening 20 minutes suggested the top-ranked team in the country was heading toward a comfortable season-opening victory.
Agot Makeer Makes Her Mark
One of the major talking points from South Carolina’s performance was the contribution of Agot Makeer.
The talented guard delivered a career-best showing, helping establish the Gamecocks’ early offensive rhythm with confident shooting and aggressive play.
Her two early three-pointers helped South Carolina establish control, but her broader contribution reflected the depth and versatility available to Staley this season.
Makeer’s performance was particularly encouraging as South Carolina begins another campaign with championship expectations.
The Gamecocks have assembled a roster featuring experienced contributors and talented newcomers. Finding players capable of stepping forward in important moments will be essential as the season progresses.
Makeer provided an encouraging example in Paris.
Tessa Johnson also played an important role in the offensive explosion. She opened the second half by knocking down a three-pointer, pushing South Carolina’s advantage to its largest margin of the afternoon.
At that stage, the Gamecocks appeared firmly in control.
But Maryland had other ideas.
Addie Mack Leads Maryland’s Remarkable Comeback
The Terrapins emerged from halftime with a different level of urgency.
Rather than accepting the sizeable deficit, Maryland began attacking more aggressively and finding better opportunities against South Carolina’s defense.
Mack became the centerpiece of the response.
The sophomore guard caught fire after the break, scoring 31 of her career-high 35 points in the second half. Her scoring explosion gave Maryland the offensive spark it desperately needed.
The Terrapins began converting shots, attacking open spaces and increasing the defensive pressure.
Their improved shooting in the third quarter helped change the game’s rhythm.
Maryland made 11 of 21 attempts during the period, giving the team opportunities to establish its full-court press.
That adjustment disrupted South Carolina’s transition offense.
The Gamecocks had enjoyed opportunities to run the floor during the first half, but Maryland’s pressure made those chances increasingly difficult to generate.
South Carolina managed just five fast-break points in the second half as the Terrapins gradually worked their way back into contention.
Although the Gamecocks maintained control, the comfortable halftime cushion was beginning to disappear.
Dawn Staley’s Timeout Changes the Momentum
Maryland’s comeback reached another level during the fourth quarter.
The Terrapins put together an 8-0 scoring run midway through the period, cutting South Carolina’s advantage to 89-80.
It was the first time the margin had dropped into single digits since the 7:27 mark of the opening quarter.
Suddenly, the atmosphere had changed.
Maryland could sense an opportunity, while South Carolina faced the uncomfortable possibility of allowing a commanding lead to slip away.
Staley responded by calling a timeout.
The decision provided an opportunity to regroup, settle the offense and remind her players what had worked during the opening half.
The Gamecocks returned to the floor with renewed purpose.
South Carolina immediately answered with a 7-0 run, restoring its advantage to 96-80 with three minutes remaining.
That response demonstrated the importance of composure in high-pressure situations.
Even with Maryland gaining momentum, the Gamecocks remained capable of producing decisive offensive possessions.
Maryland Makes One Final Push
The Terrapins were not finished.
With time running out, Maryland launched another aggressive attack, putting together a 10-0 scoring run that reduced South Carolina’s advantage to just six points with 43 seconds remaining.
The comeback had become a genuine late-game threat.
South Carolina’s early dominance was now a distant memory, and the Gamecocks needed to execute at the free-throw line to prevent Maryland from completing an extraordinary turnaround.
Fortunately for Staley, her newcomers delivered.
Freshman Jerzy Robinson and transfer guard Jordan Lee, who joined South Carolina from Texas, combined to convert five of six free-throw attempts down the stretch.
Those successful attempts gave the Gamecocks the breathing room they needed.
Maryland’s comeback ultimately fell short, and South Carolina escaped Paris with a hard-earned 101-93 victory.
What the Victory Means for South Carolina
The result provides South Carolina with an encouraging opening victory, although the second-half defensive struggles offer plenty for Staley to examine.
The Gamecocks demonstrated their offensive potential by scoring 61 points before halftime and building a 31-point advantage.
However, Maryland’s adjustments exposed areas that South Carolina must address.
The inability to consistently handle the full-court press, combined with the difficulty of containing Mack during the second half, nearly turned a comfortable victory into a damaging opening-day disappointment.
Nevertheless, there were significant positives.
- Agot Makeer: Delivered a career-best performance and helped establish South Carolina’s early offensive momentum.
- Tessa Johnson: Knocked down an important three-pointer to open the second half.
- Jerzy Robinson: Helped secure the victory with crucial late free throws.
- Jordan Lee: Provided another important contribution under pressure.
- Dawn Staley: Steadied her team with a timely fourth-quarter timeout.
South Carolina will welcome the victory, but its coaching staff will also recognize that maintaining intensity for all four quarters remains essential.
Maryland deserves credit for its resilience, particularly Mack’s remarkable second-half scoring display.
Ultimately, the Terrapins simply ran out of time.
The Gamecocks leave France with their first victory of the season and another reminder of the talent available throughout their roster. If Makeer continues developing and the newcomers maintain their confidence, South Carolina could become an even more dangerous opponent as the campaign unfolds.
For now, the headline from Paris is clear: South Carolina women’s basketball beats Maryland 101-93, surviving a spectacular late comeback to begin its season with a statement victory.
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