No. 1 South Carolina opens season with 101-93 win over No. 20 Maryland in Paris; Addi Mack scores 35 for Terrapins

No. 1 South Carolina began its 2026-27 season looking like one of the best teams in women’s college basketball with a 101-93 win over No. 20 Maryland on Monday at the Oui-Play event in Paris. However, the Terrapins put up a fight in the second half and sophomore guard Addi Mack announced her arrival as potentially one of the top stars in the sport with 35 points, shooting 6-for-10 on 3-pointers. Addi Mack is COOKING 😤📺 ESPN#NCAAWBB x @TerpsWBBpic.twitter.com/z78UeZfLWD— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) November 2, 2026The Gamecocks asserted themselves from the beginning, running out to an 8-0 start that eventually became leads of 15-2 and 22-5. South Carolina ended the first quarter with a 33-14 lead. Dawn Staley’s team didn’t let up in the second quarter with Agot Makeer scoring 9 points and Joyce Edwards tallying 13, including a buzzer-beating jumper to put South Carolina ahead by 28 points at halftime, 61-33.Somebody call the Louvre... WE GOT ANOTHER MASTERPIECE 🎨📺: @espnpic.twitter.com/Do90rjdiCg— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) November 2, 2026However, Maryland battled back in the third quarter, fueled by Mack scoring 17 points in the frame. The Terrapins outscored the Gamecocks by 9 in the quarter, though still trailed 78-59 going into the final 12 minutes. An 8-0 run midway through the fourth quarter cut South Carolina’s lead to 89-80 with just under five minutes remaining. But the Gamecocks scored the next seven points to restore their lead to 16 points at the 3-minute mark. FIRST CAREER 20 PIECE FOR GOTTI!! Gamecocks on a 7-0 run coming out of the timeout 👊📺: @espnWpic.twitter.com/NrpFy0bJbw— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) November 2, 2026Yet the Terrapins had one more run in them, going on a 10-0 streak powered by Mack and Bri McDaniel. Trinity Jones hit a 3-pointer to make the score 96-90 with 43 seconds remaining in regulation. Jones was one of three Maryland players to score 11 points, while Nunu Agara tallied 12. Mack scored 31 of her points in the second half. South Carolina put the game away with five free throws in the closing 30 seconds, three of them from Jerzy Robinson, who finished with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Edwards led the Gamecocks with 23 points and 8 boards, followed by 20 from Makeer, who made all four of her 3-point attempts. Tessa Johnson also scored 15 ponts, adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists. The Gamecocks are off until Sunday while traveling back to the United States. They will face No. 12 North Carolina in Charlotte as part of the Ally Tipoff doubleheader. Maryland’s next game is also on Sunday, hosting George Mason.