Unlikely scorers lead No. 23 Tennessee to win at South Carolina

Field Level Media|published: Tue 3rd March, 20:22 2026

Mar 3, 2026; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers center Felix Okpara (34) grabs a rebound in front of South Carolina Gamecocks forward EJ Walker (6) in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

J.P. Estrella shot 76.9% (10 of 13) and scored 14 of his game-high 22 points in the second half as No. 23 Tennessee defeated South Carolina, 78-59, on Tuesday in Columbia, SC

Felix Okpara made 10 of 14 shots, finishing with 20 points and a team-high eight rebounds as the Volunteers (21-9, 11-6 Southeastern Conference) won for the sixth time in their last seven games at South Carolina.

It was Tennessee's 13th win in its last 15 meetings with the Gamecocks (12-18, 3-14) dating back to January of 2018.

Ja'Kobi Gillespie had eight points and dished out a season-high 12 assists as Tennessee never trailed and ended a two-game skid.

Ethan Burg made two 3-pointers and scored eight points as the team shot 54.1% (33 for 61) from the field, although just 28.6% (4 of 14) from beyond the arc.

Okpara and Estrella both more than doubled their season scoring averages thanks to high percentages, including a series of dunks late in the first half as the two combined for their own 8-0 run to give Tennessee a 33-21 advantage with 4:28 left.

Meechie Johnson scored 14 of his team-high 20 points after the break for South Carolina. His layup with 14:23 left in the game got the Gamecocks within six points at 48-42, but that was the closest they would get.

It was the 12th time this season Johnson scored 20 or more points in a game, including the 10th time in conference play.

Nordin Kapic was the only other Gamecock to score in double figures. He had 10 of his season-high-tying 13 points in the first half and went 3-for-5 from three-point land on Senior Night.

South Carolina lost for the 10th time in 11 games and the fifth time in its last six home contests. The Gamecocks also fell to 0-7 in SEC play when they shoot less than 40% in a game. They went just 18-for-49 (36.7%) from the field.

Kobe Knox had seven points and four rebounds for South Carolina.

Volunteers star freshman Nate Ament (17.4 ppg, 6.4 rpg) missed the game after sustaining a right knee injury in the first half of the team's 71-69 loss to Alabama on Saturday.

--Field Level Media

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