COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Amber Harris scored 21 points to lead No. 5 Xavier to an 84-65 win over South Carolina in the season opener for both teams Friday night.
Ta'Shia Phillips added 19 points and Tyeasha Moss had 17 for the Musketeers, who looked sharp as they return four starters from last year's 30-win team that went to the Elite Eight.
Xavier shot 55.7 percent from the field and made five of nine 3-pointers
La'Keisha Sutton led South Carolina with 19 points, while Ashley Bruner had 17 points and 15 rebounds, both career highs for the sophomore.
The Musketeers broke the game open with a 20-2 run that put them ahead 31-12 with 7 minutes to go in the first half. Xavier missed just two shots during the spurt.
The Musketeers made their first four 3-pointers and shot 55 percent in the first half to take a 45-29 lead at the break.
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