The Duke women's basketball team entered Thursday's game with Columbia brimming with confidence. However, the defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks dashed their hopes, handing the Blue Devils their first loss in nearly a month. Just a week prior, Duke had triumphed over the Kansas State Wildcats and Oklahoma Sooners at the Ball Dawgs Classic, achieving a pair of top-10 victories that propelled them onto the national stage. Their win streak extended to six games with a Sunday victory over the Columbia Lions, pushing them within the top 10 of the USA TODAY Sports women's basketball coaches poll.

Duke's Basketball Journey - From Highs to Lows

Initial Momentum and Early Struggles

Sophomores Jadyn Donovan and Delaney Thomas seemed set to maintain their form with two early baskets, each assisting the other. But the Gamecocks quickly reminded everyone of their prowess. South Carolina starters Bree Hall and Te-Hina Paopao connected on consecutive 3-pointers and a left hook, putting the Blue Devils behind by four. Duke guard Taina Mair cut to the basket for two points, but Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson responded with five points of her own, keeping the momentum in South Carolina's favor. By the time Mair made a 3-pointer with 3:47 left in the opening quarter, she could only narrow the South Carolina lead to 19-9. The Gamecocks ended the first 10 minutes with a 28-12 advantage.Coach Kara Lawson acknowledged, "We didn't start the game as we had hoped. We spent the game trying to dig ourselves out of a deep hole against a quality team."

Player Performances in the Game

Mair and Thomas fought valiantly to bring the Blue Devils back into the game. Mair contributed 14 points, while Thomas made all seven of her shots from the floor. Thomas showed exceptional shooting skills, while Mair also added four rebounds, assists, and steals each. Despite Duke outscoring South Carolina 58-53 in the final three quarters, including a 22-point performance in the final frame, it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit.Reigan Richardson, the reigning AP national player of the week after her 35-point game against the Sooners, had a tough game, making only one of her eight shots and scoring three points. Freshman sensation Toby Fournier, who had scored at least 10 points in six of her first nine collegiate games, managed only two points against the reigning champs.

Upcoming Conference Battle

The Blue Devils now return to Cameron Indoor Stadium to face the Virginia Tech Hokies in their first conference game of the season. This will be a crucial test for the team as they look to bounce back from their loss and continue their journey in the women's basketball world. They will need to draw on their resilience and determination to come out on top in this important matchup.