Top-ranked South Carolina runs winning streak to 20 games with 76-54 victory over Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Ashlyn Watkins had 14 points and 15 rebounds, reserve MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 15 points and No. 1 South Carolina overcame a slow start to beat Auburn 76-54 on Thursday night.

In a matchup between the top offense and the top defense in the Southeastern Conference, the Gamecocks broke through in the second half, going on a 13-2 run late in the third quarter to put away the Tigers.

Kamilla Cardoso added 13 points and six rebounds for South Carolina (20-0, 8-0), which outrebounded Auburn 48-35.

Auburn’s Honesty Scott-Grayson matched her career high with 31 points for the Tigers (14-7, 3-5).

South Carolina has won its first 20 games in back-to-back seasons. The Gamecocks’ lone loss last season came in the Final Four to Iowa.

NO. 5 N.C. STATE 63, NO. 24 NORTH CAROLINA 59

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Aziaha James scored eight of her 10 points in the fourth quarter and North Carolina State’s defense locked down late to hold off rival North Carolina.

Saniya Rivers had 14 points, nine rebounds and four assists for the Wolfpack (19-2, 7-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). N.C. State’s defense held the Tar Heels without a point on their final seven possessions.

Deja Kelly scored 21 points to lead the Tar Heels (15-7, 7-3), who were within range when freshman Reniya Kelly knocked down a clean look at a 3-pointer to bring UNC to within 62-59 at the 3:45 mark.

NO. 8 OHIO STATE 87, WISCONSIN 49

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Jacy Sheldon scored 17 points, Cotie McMahon had 15 and Eboni Walker 11 as Ohio State won its eighth straight game.

The Buckeyes (18-3, 9-1 Big Ten) shot 50% (33 for 66) from the field, their best performance in nine games, and went 13 for 16 from the line.

Ohio State led by five points at the break and scored a program record-tying 39 points in the third quarter that extended its lead to a game-high 24 points late in the fourth.

Serah Williams led Wisconsin (10-10, 3-7) with 16 points and 11 rebounds in her seventh straight game with a double-double.

NO. 14 NOTRE DAME 85, GEORGIA TECH 48

ATLANTA (AP) — Hannah Hidalgo beat her own freshman school record with 35 points to lead Notre Dame past Georgia Tech.

Hidlago eclipsed her record of 34 points set five days earlier with 15-for-25 shooting and added eight assists and six steals in her fourth 30-point game this season.

Kylee Watson scored a season-high 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and had nine rebounds for the Fighting Irish (16-4, 6-3 Atlantic Coast Conference).

Kara Dunn scored 17 points for the Yellow Jackets (13-9, 4-6), who had their worst shooting game of the season at 25.4% (18 of 71), including 17.6% from 3-point range (6 of 34). Georgia Tech has lost five of its last six games, including four against ranked teams.

NO. 16 LOUISVILLE 81, NO. 21 SYRACUSE 69

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kiki Jefferson scored 21 points and Nyla Harris had 18 points and 14 rebounds for Louisville in a game in which Syracuse’s Dyaisha Fair move into fifth place on the all-time scoring list.

Jefferson made 6 of 12 shots and 9 of 11 free throws for the Cardinals (19-3, 8-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). Harris, a sophomore, matched her career high in points and a personal best in rebounds in her third career double-double.

Fair scored 28 points on 10-for-23 shooting for the Orange (17-4, 7-3) and passed Florida International’s Jerica Coley (3,107 points from 2011-14) on the scoring list with 3,129 points. Up next is Baylor’s Brittney Griner, who scored 3,283 from 2010-13. Washington’s Kelsey Plum is the all-time leader with 3,527 points from 2014-17. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, currently second, needs 104 points to pass Plum for the top spot.

Georgia Woolley had 15 points and Alaina Rice 14 for Syracuse.

NO. 17 VIRGINIA TECH 76, VIRGINIA 63

BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) — Elizabeth Kitley had a season-high 33 points and 18 rebounds, Georgia Amoore had 20 points and 14 assists and Virginia Tech beat Virginia for its fifth straight victory in the series.

Virginia Tech (17-4, 8-2 ACC) has won four consecutive games overall for the most wins in the first 10 ACC contests in program history. Matilda Ekh added 13 points for Virginia Tech.

Kymora Johnson scored 22 points and Paris Clark had 18 points and eight rebounds for Virginia (10-11, 2-8).

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AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball