No. 1 seed South Carolina (31-0, 16-0 SEC) defeated No. 5 seed Tennessee (19-12, 10-6 SEC), 74-73, Saturday in the SEC Tournament semifinals at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Gamecocks scored the first 13 points of the contest and led, 36-23, at halftime.
Tennessee rallied from a 23-point deficit and led, 73-71, after Rickea Jackson converted a field goal. South Carolina won on a three-point attempt by Kamilla Cardoso, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, as time expired.
It was the first career three-point field goal for Cardoso. She finished with 13 points for the Gamecocks.
Jackson totaled 22 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, while Jewel Spear recorded 21 points, four rebounds and one steal.