LEXINGTON, Ky. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle that defied its pregame projections, the South Carolina Gamecocks escaped Rupp Arena with a narrow 60-56 victory over the Kentucky Wildcats in a Southeastern Conference women’s basketball clash Sunday.

The game, played before a crowd of 6,250, was a far cry from the high-scoring affair many anticipated. South Carolina entered as a heavy favorite, but found itself in a tense, possession-by-possession battle against a determined Kentucky squad. The combined score of 116 points fell well below the over/under line of 136.5, underscoring the defensive intensity and offensive struggles that defined the afternoon.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final minute, with South Carolina clinging to a precarious lead. Leading 58-56 with under 10 seconds to play, the Gamecocks’ Raven Johnson missed a jump shot that could have sealed the game. Kentucky’s Amelia Hassett secured the defensive rebound, giving the Wildcats a chance to tie or win. On the ensuing possession, however, South Carolina’s defense forced a held ball, with the possession arrow favoring the Gamecocks.

With 5.5 seconds remaining, South Carolina inbounded the ball. The play found its way to Madina Okot, the Gamecocks’ dominant 6-foot-6 center from Mumias, Kenya. Okot, who had been a force all game, delivered the final blow, converting a layup with an assist from Tessa Johnson just before the buzzer to provide the final margin and secure the win.

Okot was the game’s standout performer, finishing with 21 points in just 26 minutes of action. She added two blocks and was a relentless presence on the glass, particularly on the defensive end where she controlled the paint. Her efficiency and timely scoring were vital for a South Carolina offense that managed an offensive rating of just 90.5 points per 100 possessions.

Kentucky was led by a stellar performance from Clara Strack. The 6-foot-5 sophomore from Buffalo, New York, played 33 minutes and scored a game-high 24 points on efficient shooting, keeping the Wildcats within striking distance throughout. Asia Boone of San Diego added 11 points and three assists for Kentucky.

The contest was characterized by stifling defense and uncharacteristic offensive woes for both teams. South Carolina shot 42.6% from the field but connected on only 5 of 18 three-point attempts and a paltry 3 of 7 from the free-throw line. Kentucky fared worse, shooting 38.1% overall and matching South Carolina’s 3-of-8 performance from the charity stripe. Both teams combined for just nine total assists, highlighting the difficulty in generating clean offensive looks.

South Carolina built its lead early, taking a 19-13 advantage after the first quarter and extending it to a 33-27 halftime lead. A 21-point third quarter gave the Gamecocks what appeared to be a comfortable 54-41 cushion heading into the final period. However, the offense went ice-cold in the fourth, scoring only six points. Kentucky mounted a furious 15-6 rally in the quarter, spearheaded by Strack, but fell just short as South Carolina’s defense made the final necessary stop and Okot provided the last basket.

With the win, South Carolina improved its season record to 29-2 overall and continued its dominance in SEC play. Kentucky, which fought valiantly against the odds, moved to 21-9. The Gamecocks’ victory was anchored not by offensive fireworks, but by defensive resilience, a significant rebounding advantage, and the crucial interior play of Okot when it mattered most.