COLUMBIA, S.C. — Chiney Ogwumike has been in plenty of close games for Stanford. She's also got confidence the top-ranked Cardinal knows exactly what to do when pressed to the limit as it was at South Carolina on Wednesday night.

Ogwumike had 21 points and 15 rebounds, Mikaela Ruef hit a tiebreaking layup with 53 seconds left and Toni Kokenis hit six foul shots down the stretch as No. 1 Stanford beat the 21st-ranked Gamecocks 53-49 to match the best start in school history at 10-0.

"We had a target on our back tonight and that's one of the things we have to expect when we come to games like this," Ogwumike said.

South Carolina (10-1) gave Stanford all it could handle at the raucous Colonial Life Arena, where more than 8,000 fans screamed with each possession. The arena erupted when Sancheon White's jumper gave South Carolina its final lead, 44-42 with 2:32 remaining.

Ogwumike answered with a go-ahead three-point play and the Gamecocks tied it up on Aleighsa Welch's foul shot. That's when Ruef drove left and threw up a shot that barely scraped over the rim and fell in to put Stanford ahead to stay.

The Gamecocks cut the deficit to 51-49 on Ieasia Walker's three-pointer with three seconds left, but Kokenis added two foul shots.

Other Top 5

At No. 2 Connecticut 97, Oakland 25

Bria Hartley and Breanna Stewart each scored 21 points and Brianna Banks had 18 to lead Connecticut (9-0) over Oakland (5-6).

No. 5 Notre Dame 100, Alabama A&M 39

In Las Vegas, Kayla McBride scored 16 points as Notre Dame (7-1) cruised past Alabama A&M (1-6).

Other Pac-12

Michigan State 49,

Oregon State 35

In Las Vegas, Becca Mills scored 16 points and Jasmine Hines had 12 as the Spartans (10-1) pulled away. Ruth Hamblin scored 10 points to lead the Beavers (6-5).