March 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 JP Estrella shot 76.9% (10 of 13) and scored 14 of his career-high 22 points in the second half as No. 23 Tennessee defeated South Carolina, 78-59, on Tuesday in Columbia, South Carolina.
Felix Okpara made 10 of 14 shots and had 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 the last 15 meetings with the Gamecocks dating back to January 2018 (12-18, 3-14).
Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored eight points and had a season-high 12 assists as Tennessee never trailed and ended a two-game skid.
Ethan Burg hit two 3-pointers and scored eight points as the team shot 54.1% (33 of 61) from the field but just 28.6% (4 of 14) from beyond the arc.
Okpara and Estrella more than doubled their season scoring averages thanks to high percentages, including a series of dunks late in the first half. The two combined for an 8-0 run to give Tennessee a 33-21 advantage with 4:28 remaining.
Meechie Johnson scored 14 of his team-high 20 points after the break at South Carolina. His layup with 14:23 left in the game got the Gamecocks within six points, 48-42, but that was the closest they would get.
This is the 12th time Johnson has scored 20 or more points in a game, including the 10th time in conference play this season.
Nordin Kapic was the only Gamecock to score in double figures. He scored 10 of his season-high 13 points in the first half and went 3-for-5 on 3-pointers on Senior Night.
South Carolina lost for the 10th time in 11 games and fifth in its last six home games. The Gamecocks also fell to 0-7 in SEC play, shooting under 40% for the game. They shot 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 suffering a right knee injury in the first half of the team’s 71-69 loss to Alabama on Saturday.
–Field level media
