COLUMBIA, S.C. – North Carolina A&T competed with the best team in women's basketball as long as possible. But in the end, the Aggies played on the road against the top-ranked team in America in the University of South Carolina. 

On Monday night, the Gamecocks put together 29 unanswered points over two different quarters to down the Aggies 79-42 at Colonial Life Arena. As a result, the Aggies fell to 0-6 on the young season. The Gamecocks are 8-0. 

"I thought that we played well," head coach Tarrell Robinson said. "I thought we followed the game plan, the scout for 15 minutes of the game. But the level of team we were playing, and where they are in terms of confidence is hard to sustain."

After the Gamecocks scored the game's first seven points, the Aggies outscored USC 6-2. It was a spurt that included a 3-pointer from Kiana Adderton (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) that helped the Aggies get to within three at 9-6 within the first six minutes of the game. 

USC increased its lead to 16-8 over the next two minutes before Chanin Scott (Charlotte, N.C.) knocked down a jumper to send the Aggies into the second quarter down 16-10. 

Two minutes into the second quarter, Scott's jumper had the Aggies down three again at 18-15. It, unfortunately, marked the Aggies final points of the first half. USC scored the next 22 points in the half to take a 40-15 halftime lead. 

By the time A&T scored again, a 3-pointer by Adderton with 7:41 remaining in the third quarter, the Gamecocks had a 47-18 lead. USC then went on a 13-2 run to leave no doubt with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter. 

Sean Kelly Darks (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the Aggies with eight points off the bench. Scott added seven points and seven rebounds. 

Aliyah Boston led the Gamecocks with 29 points and with 14 rebounds on 13-for-13 shooting from the floor. Laeticia Amihere added nine points, and Brea Beal added eight rebounds.