South-Carolina
Why Tessa Johnson’s first South Carolina double-double meant so much to junior guard
COLUMBIA — Tessa Johnson giggled before she said, “This is going to sound very bad.
“But I’ve been trying to rebound this season, it just sometimes doesn’t work out for me and today it did.”
Johnson had first career double-double for South Carolina women’s basketball and found herself fielding questions about rebounding, a uncommon topic for the shooting guard.
She scored 14 points with her career-high 10 rebounds in the 103-34 victory over No. 16 seed Southern in the March Madness first-round game on March 21 in Colonial Life Arena.
It wasn’t that the junior guard woke up on the morning of her third Women’s NCAA Tournament opener and decided to start rebounding. But with a recent shooting slump, she was intentional about helping her team in other ways.
“I just wanted to do more than just scoring out there,” Johnson said. “I feel like I can do a little bit more out there and really wanted to focus on rebounding this game.”
Coach Dawn Staley’s top-seeded Gamecocks (32-3) will now play either No. 8 Clemson or No. 9 Southern Cal after Johnson’s contributions helped push them to the second round.
Johnson’s height at 6-feet does occasionally give her an advantage against some guards but given how frequently South Carolina runs in transition, it’s normally Johnson sprinting down the court instead of crashing the boards.
She leads the SEC in 3-point shooting at 44.1%, which is 10th in the nation.
Her signature spot-up shooting was highlighted on a grander scale in the 79-72 win over LSU on Feb. 14, when she started 4-of-5 in the first half, forcing Tigers coach Kim Mulkey to scream “Who can guard Tessa” at her team.
Johnson then went 10-of-34 across the next six games (29%).
To start the game against the Jaguars (20-14) it looked like Johnson hadn’t quite shaken off the slump, starting 0-of-2 from the 3-point line. She went to the locker room in the first quarter and returned three minutes later after taping two of her fingers.
She hit two 3-pointers in the third quarter and two in the fourth.
“Good I mean, there was like a cover on the hoop for everyone in the first half,” said Johnson when asked how breaking out of the 3-point slump felt. “The second half we picked it up defensively and I think that just helped us offensively.”
By halftime she was only three shy of tying her career-high in rebounds with seven, but grabbed four in the third quarter
“I wasn’t thinking about a double-double until I realized I was at eight points, eight rebounds but I really was just looking at my rebounding,” said Johnson, who is averaging a career-high 3.3. “I don’t rebound very well but now I’m getting up there.”
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
COLUMBIA — South Carolina football transfer running back Sam Williams-Dixon has been suspended from the program after he was arrested June 13.
Williams-Dixon is facing multiple charges, according to Richland County judicial records.
He is facing three charges of breaking into a motor vehicle, three charges of criminal conspiracy and one charge of grand larceny between $2,000-$10,000.
As of 1:30 p.m. ET on June 14, the Alvin S Glenn Detention Center web site listed him as being detained.
Williams-Dixon is listed as Sam Dixon on South Carolina’s roster. He is a redshirt sophomore who came to the Gamecocks in January after starting his career at Ohio State. He’s from Pickerington, Ohio. In two seasons he has 10 career carries for 62 yards.
“We are aware of the situation and per athletic department policy, he is suspended indefinitely,” a said South Carolina athletic department spokesman said in a statement.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 13 drawing
03-13-44-50-53, Powerball: 02, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 13 drawing
Midday: 9-0-9, FB: 9
Evening: 9-3-6, FB: 8
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 13 drawing
Midday: 5-0-1-3, FB: 9
Evening: 9-4-9-1, FB: 8
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 13 drawing
Midday: 05
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 13 drawing
02-04-10-20-25
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 13 drawing
24-55-56-57-67, Powerball: 15
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Police say they responded to reports of gunfire at Haywood Mall and located two victims who have been transported to the hospital.
South Carolina police said two people were shot in a Greenville mall on June 13.
Greenville police responded to reports of gunfire at Haywood Mall and located two victims who have been transported to the hospital, according to police Sgt. Johnathan Bragg. Several people were detained.
Police and the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office cleared the mall. No other shots have been fired since officers arrived on the scene.
A year ago, Haywood Mall released a statement saying it would be stepping up security following several reports of fighting at the mall.
“The safety and security of our shoppers, retailers, and employees is our highest priority,” according to the June 2025 statement from the mall to the Greenville News, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Authorities also stepped up security in and around the retail center, including increasing the police presence, the statement said.
Contributing: Terry Benjamin II, Greenville News
-
World3 minutes agoKhamenei’s ‘target-rich’ funeral is Iran’s biggest security gamble, sends message to US: expert
-
Politics10 minutes agoTrump announces peace deal with Iran, declares Strait of Hormuz will reopen: ‘Let the oil flow!’
-
Health13 minutes agoOne muscle protein may hold the key to staying stronger as you age, study finds
-
Sports18 minutes ago2026 World Cup Odds: Germany Heavily Favored to Win Group E After 7-1 Win
-
Technology25 minutes agoFBI says Russian hackers hijacked old Wi-Fi routers
-
Business28 minutes agoSteven Spielberg’s ‘Disclosure Day’ takes the box office crown
-
Entertainment33 minutes agoSeth Rogen says he hasn’t spoken to James Franco and doesn’t plan to work with him
-
Lifestyle40 minutes agoOne of L.A.’s most personal theater experiences is disguised as a tarot reading
