By james art 
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chloe Kitts had 19 points and 14 rebounds and Tessa Johnson had 15 points as top-ranked South Carolina beat low-seeded Michigan 68-62 on Monday night at the Hall of Fame.
Joyce Edwards added 10 points for South Carolina, which won the national championship last season.
Cilla Swords led Michigan with 27 points and 12 rebounds, and Jordan Hobbs had 19 points.
South Carolina, which was favored by 21 1/2 points in the BetMGM Sportsbook, has been pushed early in the season for both teams. Michigan tried to become the first team since Big Ten Conference rival Iowa in the 2023 national semifinals to defeat the Gamecocks.
Michigan got within 64-62 with 22 seconds left, but South Carolina hung on from there.
Although the Gamecocks return nine of 11 players, one of those no longer with the team is 6-foot-7 Camila Cardoso. She was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder last season, which was selected third in the WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky.
Food to take home
Michigan: The Wolverines have played some of their best basketball against top teams in recent seasons, and this game was no exception. They defeated #5 Baylor on December 19, 2021 and #5 Indiana on January 31, 2022.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks were able to effectively go eight deep and their bench outscored Michigan 29-6.
Key point
Penalties proved to be the difference in the end. After the Wolverines cut South Carolina’s lead to two points, the Gamecocks closed out the game by making four of six free throws.
Key statistics
21% — Michigan’s shooting percentage in the second half.
Next up
South Carolina plays NC State on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina. Michigan begins a five-game homestand by facing Lehigh on Friday.
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