Virginia Falls at South Carolina, 66-64

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COLUMBIA, S.C. Lakesha Tolliver hit a jumper with less than two seconds left in the game to lift South Carolina to a 66-64 victory over visiting Virginia Thursday night at the Colonial Center. The Cavaliers were led by Paulisha Kellum, who scored a career-high 19 points and added four rebounds and three steals.

The first half was an evenly matched period that featured six ties and five lead changes. After South Carolina built an early lead, Virginia fought back and a fast break layup by Lyndra Littles at the 12:11 mark gave Virginia its largest lead of the half, 16-11, and prompted a Gamecocks timeout.

USC (2-0) came back on the Cavaliers (1-2) over the next minute, and a 3-pointer by Brionna Dickerson tied the score at 16 with 11 minutes left in the half. The teams traded baskets until Virginia’s Kellum hit a layup with 20 seconds left, made a steal at the other end on defense and came back down the court to hit a 3-pointer as time expired to give the Cavs a five-point lead at the half, 35-31.

In the second half, Virginia extended its lead to as many as 16 points. The Gamecocks, however, chipped away at the lead over the last three minutes and Tolliver’s jumpshot capped the Gamecocks’ comeback.

Littles finished with 16 points for Virginia, while Monica Wright added 10. Sharne Zoll added nine points and three steals.

Dickerson finished with 27 points to lead all scorers.

Virginia returns home on Sunday, when it hosts Richmond at John Paul Jones Arena. Tip-off is 2 p.m.