NC State Edges South Carolina 88-86 in Exhibition Thriller

The South Carolina women's basketball team, ranked No. 2, recently played a highly competitive exhibition game against NC State, narrowly losing 88-86 due to a last-second three-pointer by Paul McNeil Jr. Freshman Eli Ellis led South Carolina with 23 points, and Meechie Johnson added 20, highlighting a strong offensive effort with the Gamecocks shooting efficiently from both the field and beyond the arc. Despite leading by 11 points late in the second half, South Carolina was overcome by NC State's late run, which was fueled by forcing turnovers and capitalizing on free throws. This exhibition match was part of the Bad Boy Mowers Series, showcasing top teams ahead of the regular season, with South Carolina preparing for a challenging schedule featuring multiple ranked opponents. Meanwhile, Maryland fell to No. 9 NC State, 83-75, in an exhibition game, with standout performances from new transfer Oluchi Okanawa and other key players, though NC State managed a strong finish to secure the win. These exhibition contests underscore the competitive depth in women's college basketball as teams gear up for the upcoming season.