LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chloe Kitts had 19 points and 14 rebounds and Tessa Johnson scored 15 points as top-ranked South Carolina defeated scrappy Michigan 68-62 on Monday night in the Hall of Fame Series. Joyce Edwards added 10 points for South Carolina, which won the national championship last season. Syla 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 at BetMGM Sportsbook, was pushed in the season opener for both teams. Michigan tried to become the first team since Big Ten Conference rival Iowa in 2023 national semifinals to beat the Gamecocks. Michigan got to within 64-62 with 22 seconds left, but South Carolina held on from there. Though the Gamecocks return nine of 11 starters, one of those players no longer on the team is 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso. She was the team’s top scorer and rebounder last season who was drafted third in the WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky. Notables With the win over Michigan, South Carolina marked its 14th straight season-opening victory in the Dawn Staley era. South Carolina showed off its depth, with the Gamecock bench outscoring the Wolverines’ 29-6. 10 Gamecocks hit the floor, with eight scoring at least a bucket. Chloe Kitts finished with 19 points and 14 boards, tying her career high in rebounds and grabbing her seventh career double-double. 12 of her points came in the first half, including scoring the first six points of the game. Tessa Johnson ended in double digits for the 11th time in her career, posting eight of her 15 points in the first half, including a three in the final seconds of the first half to bring the Gamecocks within one at the break. Newcomer Joyce Edwards had a standout debut, putting up 10 points while grabbing seven boards, two steals, and a team-high two blocks. Te-Hina Paopao knocked down a three in the final minute of the first quarter as part of her nine points to tie things up at 18, dishing out a team-high four assists and two steals. Categories: Local Sports, South Carolina Sports, Sports, USC Gamecocks