Tessa Johnson stat tonight: How did did South Carolina star play vs. Purdue Boilermakers (Nov 30)
Tessa Johnson turned in another solid display in her sophomore season. She played a significant part in the South Carolina Gamecocks' 99-51 demolition of the Purdue Boilermakers in the final game of the Fort Myers Tip-off on Saturday.
Johnson suffered an injury during the Gamecocks' game against the NC State Wolfpack on November 10, which forced her to miss the next two games against the Coppin State Eagles and the East Carolina Pirates. She returned for the game against the Clemson Tigers on November 20 and has been fairly consistent since then.
Johnson, who is yet to make a start in the 2024-25 season, produced a solid effort off the bench, finishing with 13 points, two rebounds, an assist and a block against Purdue.
Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley brought Tessa Johnson onto the court with 5:41 to go in the first quarter. While she failed to score points in that period, she made a block with 2:30 to go, helping the Gamecocks maintain their seven-point lead at that point.
After being subbed on and off a few times, Johnson finally scored her first points with 3:59 to go in the third quarter, making a jump shot to extend the Gamecocks' lead to 41. She then scored eight points in the final 2:21 of the third quarter, making two 3-pointers and a layup to ensure they finished the period with a massive 78-31 lead.
Johnson then made a 3-pointer with 6:08 in the fourth quarter before Staley pulled her from the game for the last time.
Tessa Johnson among top performers from South Carolina's strong bench
Tessa Johnson was one of seven players to score in double digits for the reigning national champions and one of five to do it off the bench. Fellow sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley finished as the Gamecocks' top scorer, coming off the bench to finish with 14 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Ashlyn Watkins continued her fine run of performances since returning to the Gamecocks' roster this season, narrowly missing out on a double-double by finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Bree Hall and Chloe Kitts were the only starters to score in double figures against the Boilermakers, finishing with 12 points each to cap off a fine day for the Gamecocks in Florida.
The Gamecocks will return to Columbia to face the Duke Blue Devils in the SEC-ACC Challenge on December 5 at 9:00PM ET.