No. 1 South Carolina avoids major upset in 68-62 win over Michigan

 Chloe Kitts h 19 points and 14 rebounds and Tessa Johnson scored 15 points as top-ranked South Carolina defeated scrappy Michigan 68-62 on Monday night in Hall of Fame Series.

Joyce Edwards ded 10 points for South Carolina, which won national championship last season.

Syla Swords led Michigan with 27 points and 12 rebounds and Jordan Hobbs h 19 points.

South Carolina, which was favored by 21 1/2 points at BetMGM Sportsbook, was pushed in season opener for both teams. Michigan tried to become first team since Big Ten Conference rival Iowa in 2023 national semifinals to beat Gamecocks.

Michigan got to within 64-62 with 22 seconds left, but South Carolina held on from re.

Though Gamecocks return nine of 11 starters, one of those players longer on team is 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso. She was team’s top scorer and rebounder last season who was drafted third in WNBA draft by Chicago Sky.

Michigan: Wolverines have played some of ir best basketball against top teams in recent seasons, and this game was exception. y beat . 5 Baylor on Dec. 19, 2021 and . 5 Indiana on Jan. 31, 2022.

South Carolina: Gamecocks were able to effectively go eight deep, and ir bench outscored Michigan's 29-6.

Free throws turned out to be difference in end. After Wolverines cut South Carolina's le to two points, Gamecocks closed out game by making four of six free throws.

21% — Michigan's shooting percent in second half.

South Carolina plays N.C. State on Sunday in Charlotte, rth Carolina. Michigan begins a five-game homestand by facing Lehigh on Friday.