South Carolina vs. NC State: The #9 Wolfpack lost on the road to the #1 Gamecocks, 71-57.

After trailing by as many as 20 in the third quarter, NC State cut the South Carolina lead to seven midway through the fourth quarter, but they would not get any closer.

Zamareya Jones hit four three-pointers off the bench to lead NC State with 16 points. Aziaha James had 13 points, three assists, and three steals.

For South Carolina, Te-Hina Paopao scored a game-high 23 points to go with three rebounds, three assists, and two steals. Milay Fulwiley added 18 points and three rebounds.

Te-Hina Paopao scores 23 points as No. 1 South Carolina holds off NC State 71-57 at Ally Tipoff

No. 1 South Carolina passed its first big test of the season.

South Carolina forward Sania Feagin, left, vies for the ball with NC State forward Maddie Cox during the first half of an NCAA women’s college basketball game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)(Chris Carlson | AP)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Te-Hina Paopao scored 23 points, MiLaysia Fulwiley chipped in with 18 points off the bench and No. 1 South Carolina passed its first big test of the season with a 71-57 victory over ninth-ranked North Carolina State on Sunday in the Ally Tipoff at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center.

Together Paopao and Fulwiley were 18 of 30 from the field as the Gamecocks (2-0) shot 50%.

Zamareya Jones had 16 points and Aziaha James added 13 points to lead NC State (1-1).

The Gamecocks used a 14-5 spurt at the end of the second quarter led by Fulwiley to build a 39-30 lead at halftime.

Paopao’s 3-pointer and baseline floater to open the third quarter pushed the Gamecocks lead to 12 and they never never seriously threatened again. Bree Hall’s driving layup put South Carolina up by 20 with 2:42 left in the third quarter.

The Wolfpack would cut the lead to seven with 4:32 left in the game, but couldn’t complete the comeback.

South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts did not play because of an “academic policy issue.” She is expected back for the next game according to coach Dawn Staley.