Clemson Looks to End South Carolina's 15-Game Winning Streak in Rivalry
Clemson women's basketball has opened the season with three consecutive victories, but Thursday night's matchup against No. 1 South Carolina will provide a much greater test for the Tigers.
Clemson has defeated Radford 68-47, East Tennessee State 76-57 and UNC Greensboro 72-44, but head coach Shawn Poppie has expressed concerns about his team's defense.
However, he expects a different level of intensity against the nation's top-ranked team.
"I think that for them as young people, and this is no disrespect to the first three opponents we had, it's harder to get them focused for those three than it is this one," Poppie said Tuesday. "I think that in itself, you're going to see a different team come Thursday, just based off the opponent, right?"
South Carolina opened the season with a 101-93 victory over Maryland in Paris before defeating North Carolina 84-39 in Charlotte. The Gamecocks are led offensively by Joyce Edwards, who averages 19.0 points per game, and Agot Makeer, who contributes 14.5. Ashley Watkins leads the team with 10.0 rebounds per contest, followed by Chloe Kitts at 8.5.
Poppie also recognizes the challenge of facing a program that has consistently overwhelmed opponents with its size, athleticism and defensive anticipation.
"I think what I see is we just have so much room for growth, and we got to take the best version that we have at the moment and try to attack what we believe that is the very few holes that they may have," he explained. "And the last piece is you better believe. If you don't believe you can do it, then it's going to be a long night."
That confidence is particularly important for a Clemson team that has struggled against the Palmetto State rival in recent meetings.
"There's not many people who really feel like we can go out there and beat them on Thursday, except the ones we have in that locker room."
Only two Clemson players have played meaningful minutes in the rivalry: guard Mia Moore, who leads the Tigers in scoring at 11.7 points per game, and guard Rusne Augustinaite (4.0 ppg).
Moore scored 12 points in the 2024 meeting, while Augustinaite, a 40-percent 3-point shooter last season, is looking to regain her shooting touch after opening this season 3-for-18 from beyond the arc. She also struggled against South Carolina last November, making just 1 of 8 attempts from long range.
"Mia Moore, Russ, are spilling over their belief to the others," Poppie said. "I mean, the reality is, it was a 10-point game going in the fourth a year ago, and now they whooped us 20 to two, I think in the fourth. But when you've played three quarters with the number whatever they were a year ago, No. 3 team in the country? I think that there's definitely some belief we can hang in there."
Clemson trailed the Gamecocks just 45-35 entering the fourth quarter in last season's matchup in Columbia before South Carolina pulled away for a 65-37 victory.
The Gamecocks outscored Clemson 20-2 in the quarter, holding the Tigers without a field goal over the final 10 minutes. Clemson made just 5 of 33 attempts from beyond the arc (15.2%).
The previous meeting in 2024 presented a different challenge. Clemson led 11-10 after the first quarter and held an advantage midway through the second before South Carolina took control in a 77-45 victory at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Although the Tigers shot better from 3-point range, making 7 of 18 attempts (38.9%), they were outrebounded 54-30, including 23-7 on the offensive glass, and committed 19 turnovers.
Those shortcomings have made rebounding, ball security and consistent shooting critical areas for Clemson entering Thursday's rematch.
Poppie has addressed those concerns through the transfer portal, adding Virginia Tech guard Mackenzie Nelson, who led the ACC in assist-to-turnover ratio last season and is averaging 10.7 points and 4.3 assists, along with much-needed size with Yakiya Milton (6-5), Jenna Lawrence (6-3), and Edie Clarke (6-4).
Clarke has made an immediate impact, averaging 11.0 points and a team-leading 6.7 rebounds. Although she is not a traditional back-to-the-basket post player, Poppie believes her versatility creates mismatches offensively while her length allows her to disrupt shots, generate deflections and contribute on the glass.
The Tigers also have freshman Julia Scott (6-3), who averages 7.3 points and provides another option in the frontcourt. Poppie praised her ability to stretch the floor with her perimeter shooting while possessing the physicality to compete against experienced post players. He expects Scott to play an important role Thursday.
The additional size could be particularly valuable against a Gamecocks team that has consistently exploited Clemson's disadvantages around the basket.
Thursday's matchup represents an opportunity for the program to end a 15-game losing streak against its in-state rival while measuring the progress under Poppie, who guided the Tigers to a 21-12 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance last season.
"So, I think there's no doubt in that locker room that we think that we can beat them on Thursday, and they also know that it's not going to be just we show up."
Clemson (3-0) hosts the Gamecocks (2-0) at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
