No. 3 South Carolina defeats No. 16 Kentucky women 60-56

Madina Okot's double-double leads Gamecocks to narrow victory over Wildcats

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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In a close matchup between ranked SEC women's basketball teams, No. 3 South Carolina defeated No. 16 Kentucky 60-56 on Sunday. Madina Okot recorded a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds to pace the Gamecocks, who held off a late rally by the Wildcats.

Why it matters

This game featured a clash between two of the top teams in the Southeastern Conference, with South Carolina looking to maintain its position among the nation's elite and Kentucky seeking a signature win to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume.

The details

The Gamecocks built a double-digit lead in the second half, but Kentucky mounted a late comeback led by Clara Strack's 24 points and 9 rebounds. However, the Wildcats were unable to complete the rally as Teonni Key missed a potential game-tying layup in the final minutes. Tessa Johnson and Raven Johnson also scored in double figures for South Carolina.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 2, 2026.

The players

Madina Okot

A standout forward for the No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks, Okot recorded a double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds in the win over Kentucky.

Clara Strack

The leading scorer for the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats, Strack had 24 points and 9 rebounds in the losing effort against South Carolina.

Tessa Johnson

A guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks who scored 12 points in the victory over Kentucky.

Raven Johnson

A South Carolina Gamecocks player who contributed 11 points to the team's win over Kentucky.

Asia Boone

A Kentucky Wildcats player who scored 11 points in the loss to South Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

This close game between two ranked SEC women's basketball teams showcased the competitiveness of the conference and the importance of late-season matchups as teams jockey for NCAA Tournament positioning.