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South Carolina women's basketball defeats Tennessee in thriller
Gamecocks overcome late Lady Vols comeback to win at home
Feb. 8, 2026 at 3:31pm
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The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team defeated the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in a close game at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina on February 8, 2026. The Gamecocks held off a late Tennessee comeback attempt to secure the victory.
Why it matters
This was an important conference matchup between two top women's basketball programs. South Carolina is looking to defend its SEC title, while Tennessee is trying to return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out last season.
The details
The Gamecocks led for most of the game, but the Lady Vols made a strong push in the fourth quarter to make it close. South Carolina's Tessa Johnson and Raven Johnson made key plays down the stretch to help their team hold on for the win.
- The game was played on February 8, 2026 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina.
The players
Tessa Johnson
A starting guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team.
Raven Johnson
A starting guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team.
Jaida Civil
A starting guard for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers women's basketball team.
Zee Spearman
A starting forward for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers women's basketball team.
Dawn Staley
The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team.
What they’re saying
“We knew Tennessee would make a run, but our players stepped up and made the plays we needed to get the win.”
— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks
What’s next
South Carolina will look to build on this win as they continue their SEC schedule, while Tennessee will try to regroup and get back on track for an NCAA Tournament berth.
The takeaway
This was an exciting conference matchup between two of the top women's basketball programs in the SEC. South Carolina's ability to hold off Tennessee's late comeback attempt shows the Gamecocks' resilience and ability to win close games.
