Jurica Hargraves posted 16 points but the High Point University women's basketball team fell to the SEC's South Carolina, 73-52 on Friday night at the Colonial Life Center in Columbia, S.C.

Hargraves went 7-of-16 from the field. Shamia Brown added nine points for the Panthers (2-6). Ashlee' Samuels pulled down a team-high six boards while Frances Fields dished out seven assists.

The Gamecocks (4-3) were led by Demetress Adams with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jewel May also posted a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds. Brionna Dickerson and Lakeisha Sutton both added 11 points.

High Point came out a bit slow, missing the first six shots. South Carolina took an early six point lead, but the Panthers got their offense going and took their first lead of the game at the 9:35 mark off a jumper from Samuels. HPU's defense then went to work, holding the Gamecocks scoreless for five minutes as the Panthers took a nine point, 28-19 lead with 5:08 to play off a three pointer from LaTeisha Dean. USC refused to back down though and went on a 6-2 run to close out the half. The two teams entered the break knotted at 30.

The Panthers opened up the second half and took a 39-34 lead in the opening minutes, but the Gamecocks quickly took over. USC closed out the game outscoring HPU 39-13.

"The bright spot is the effort from everyone that stepped on the court tonight," said head coach Tooey Loy. "We have the effort and now we really just need to work on the execution from there. Pay attention to the details and work on not turning the ball over. I'm still excited about this team even at 2-6 and I'm excited about where this team could be at the end of the season."

USC dominated on the boards pulling down 52 rebounds to just 34 by the Panthers. High Point tallied 11 steals.

High Point will be back in action on Tuesday, Dec. 9 when it travels to Buies Creek, N.C. to face Campbell. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.