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Swish Appeal’s contributing photographer Christina Merrion was in the building for the second-round NCAA Tournament game between No. 1-seed South Carolina and No. 9-seed USC.
The game also served as the second SC-vs.-SC showdown, at the two teams met in Los Angeles in mid-November to determine “The Real SC.” South Carolina, even more authoritatively, asserted their claim to the SC crown, ringing up more than 100 points as they closed out Colonial Life Arena’s 2025-26 season with a 101-61 win.
The game
might not have been competitive, but the atmosphere still was electric. Here are some of the best moments that Christina captured.
