​Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn ImagesTessa Johnson breaks A’ja Wilson record in South Carolina’s thrilling win over JuJu Watkins, USC appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.Tessa Johnson scored a career-high 28 points Sunday, surpassing a South Carolina women’s basketball scoring record held by A’ja Wilson as the top-ranked Gamecocks defeated No. 3 USC 89-85 on Sunday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.According to ESPN Insights, Johnson’s total was the highest by a South Carolina player against an Associated Press top-five opponent in the past 25 seasons. Wilson previously held that mark with 27 points against UConn in the 2018 Elite Eight.The Real SC goes to South Carolina! 🐓Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)Tessa Johnson led the way for the Gamecocks:🏀 Scored or assisted on 34 points🏀 Went 6-10 on contested shots🏀 5-8 in the paintHer 28 points are the most by a South Carolina player against an AP top 5 opponent in the last 25 seasons,… pic.twitter.com/V3FROR0TkL— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) November 15, 2026Johnson also made two free throws with 13 seconds remaining to give South Carolina a four-point lead after Jordan Lee’s block on JuJu Watkins helped stop USC’s comeback. The Gamecocks improved to 4-0, while the Trojans fell to 3-1. According to Steve Reed of The Associated Press, prior to Sunday’s matchup against the Gamecocks, USC had surpassed 100 points in each of its first three games.Johnson scored or assisted on 34 points, according to ESPN Insights. She made six of 10 contested shots and went 5-for-8 in the paint.Her first-half shooting helped South Carolina recover from an early deficit. Johnson scored 17 points before halftime, making six of seven field-goal attempts, including all three of her 3-point tries. The Gamecocks used a 9-0 run to take a 49-45 halftime lead and did not trail again.USC cut a 12-point deficit with less than four minutes remaining to two with 42 seconds left, getting 3-pointers from Jazzy Davidson and Watkins during the rally.Following a South Carolina turnover, Lee blocked Watkins on a fast-break drive. Officials initially ruled the ball went out of bounds off Lee. After USC called timeout, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley challenged the ruling. The call was overturned, giving the Gamecocks possession with 15 seconds remaining.JORDAN LEE WITH THE CLUTCH BLOCK‼️😱Seconds left on the clock, and she recovers just in time to make a HUGE defensive play for South Carolina. 📺 ABC#NCAAWBB x @GamecockWBBpic.twitter.com/UtRkYZO5Uc— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) November 15, 2026USC then fouled Johnson, who made both attempts.Joyce Edwards finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds for South Carolina. Chloe Kitts added 15 points and 12 rebounds for her third consecutive double-double. The Gamecocks shot 55% from the field and held USC to 42%.Watkins led the Trojans with 25 points on 8-for-12 shooting. Saniyah Hall