Thunder: Teaira McCowan was in early foul trouble, particularly against A’Ja Wilson, a South Carolina center. Lightning: A bad shooting night for all three Bulldogs’ 3-point shooters, Roshunda Johnson (2for 8) and Blair Schaefer (0for 5). This is 3 for 23, and it won’t be against anyone, South Carolina included. After a remarkable run of 32 consecutive victories, State lost for the first time. The Gamecocks trophy collection now has another SEC Tournament Championship trophy. It is in dire need of an expansion. This year’s score will be South Carolina 62 and Mississippi State 51. Vic Schaefer, the State coach, said that this has been his fear for 32 games. “That we can’t shoot it well on a night that we don’t have enough to beat a Top 10 team to find a way of winning a game.” But not this day. Wilson, an All American who is gifted in basketball, scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead a balanced South Carolina team. They led by 11 at the half and held off several State comeback attempts in the second quarter. It was a great game. State players were constantly diving around the court looking for loose balls, protecting the Gamecocks and working the ball to get open shots. Those shots didn’t fall today. This day, South Carolina was 26-6, ranked eighth nationally and just a little better. The Gamecocks outrebounded State 38 to 23, shot 51 percent from field, and made 10 of the 11 free throws. After picking up two early fouls, McCowan spent 16 minutes watching the State bench from her seat. Zion Campbell, a sophomore, was McCowan’s substitute. She fought hard and had her moments, but Wilson’s skills are unmatched at this stage in her career. Few are. It had been 337 years since the State women lost a basketball match. South Carolina also won the game against the Bulldogs, 67 to 55 in Dallas’ national championship game. Blair Schaefer stated, “Our season is not over, however this is a bitter flavor.” We’ve had issues with South Carolina all my career but we’ve built our programs to be able to compete and win against them. That’s why it hurts so much today. Although we had some good shots, which is what we are used to making, they weren’t falling today. It hurts.” State beat South Carolina 67 to 53 at Starkville on February 2. The Bulldogs were also trailing in that game, but they were able blow out the Gamecocks with a 28-9 4th quarter. Vic Schaefer felt great at halftime, even though the Bulldogs were behind by 11. He felt that his team had survived the storm, the poor shooting and absence of McCowan, and would perform much better in the second. McCowan was even informed by him, as he left the court at intermission that the Bulldogs were strong and ready to take control of the second half. Again, however, the shots didn’t fall. Vic Schaefer exhorted his Bulldogs, who were making perimeter shots that sounded like iron, to get inside the basket and score. One problem: The Bulldogs also missed many layups. Vic Schaefer stated, “I felt like the game would be about toughness.” “I don’t like it when they get out-toughed. They out-rebounded me by 15 and that’s quite a tough stat.” A player said the Bulldogs would return to work this week in an effort to improve their performance until the NCAA Tournament. 1 seed. Blair Schaefer stated, “It hurts but we have to put it behind us. “We have to get ready for next season, which will be the biggest one,” Blair Schaefer said. This State team, the most successful in school history, won’t be remembered because of this game. It is yet to be decided how it will be remembered.