As the Wolfpack attempted a fourth-quarter comeback, South Carolina’s Te-Hina Paopao put the potential upset to rest with five straight points, capped off by a corner three, to help the Gamecocks win 71-57.

South Carolina’s first-ranked win of the season extended their win streak to 40. They are the second DI program to assemble multiple 40-game win streaks. Paopao and MiLaysia Fulwiley led the way with 23 and 18 points, respectively, with the team shooting 50% from the field. 

The Gamecocks kept the Wolfpack at arm’s length from the second quarter until the final buzzer. However, NC State made things interesting in the fourth, cutting to a seven-point game with less than five minutes to go. That was as close as the Gamecocks would let the score get, bumping it back up to double digits by the game’s end. 

South Carolina returns to the hardwood on Nov. 14 to face Coppin State for its home-opener, while the Wolfpack face Kent State at home next on Nov. 14.