No. 2 South Carolina erased a double-digit deficit behind Chloe Kitts' 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Mississippi State led by 11 points midway through the second quarter before the game changed.   South Carolina outscored the Bulldogs 19-2 in the final five minutes of the period to extend its lead to 42-34 at halftime.   There was no looking back for the Gamecocks.

A 26-11 third-quarter scoring spree by the defending champs sealed the victory.   Tessa Johnson scored 20 points, making four 3-pointers.  Te-Hina PaoPao scored 15 points, had five assists and four rebounds, and Joyce Edwards added 10 buckets.

Jerkaila Jordan led the Bulldogs with 24 points.  Destiney McPhaul had 14 points off the bench and Eniya Russell scored 12.

Mississippi State threw a solid first punch for the Bulldogs out of the gates, but the team played too carelessly to pull offthe upset.

Even though it remains to be seen whether or not the Gamecocks will win yet another SEC and national championship, they certainly looked the part of a team capable of doing so during the final 25 minutes.  They were dominant on both sides of the ball and scored at will. The defense was stout, and the offense clicked on all cylinders. It is safe to say that South Carolina could be primed for another championship.