COLUMBIA, S.C. – The College of Charleston women's basketball team (2-6) couldn't overcome the No. 5 South Carolina Gamecocks (9-1) on Tuesday, falling 69-43 to the defending national champions in Colonial Life Arena.
 
• Darien Huff caught fire to start off the second half, draining back to back corner-threes and four free throws in the opening 2:11 of the third. The junior guard finished with 10 points to lead the Cougars, while also pulling down five boards and pawing away a career-best five steals.
 
• The Cougars struggled out the gate, shooting 10% from the field (3 of 30) in the first half to go into the locker room down 34-10. The Gamecocks couldn't fully capitalize due to shooting struggles of their own in the opening 20 minutes (33% FG, 13 of 39). For the game, USC was held to just 1 of 10 from the three-point line. CofC played solidly on the defensive end, holding the Gamecocks well below their scoring average of 85 PPG.
 
• CofC picked up its lone lead of the game early. After USC scored the first basket of the game, Shiclasia Brown scored a step-back three-pointer to list the College to the 3-2 advantage over the defending champs.
 
• College of Charleston's director of basketball operations Kyle Dillon was honored before the game. Dillon was a manager for the Gamecocks last season, and received his 2017 championship ring.
 
• A'ja Wilson tallied a 26-15 double-double in just 22 minutes of action to lead all players. Alexis Jennings and LeLe Grissett joined her in double digit scoring, while Bianca Jackson pulled down 10 rebounds for South Carolina.
 
The Cougars will return to action on Friday, December 15, when they close out their non-conference road play against the North Florida Ospreys.