After splitting two matchups at the Players Era Championship, South Carolina leaves Sin City with standout performances, lingering questions, and a highlight-reel moment that stole the show. Here’s the full breakdown from courtside.
Three Clutch Performers
Madina Okot
- vs Duke: 31 minutes, 23 points, 13 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists, 2 blocks
- vs Texas: 34 minutes, 12 points, 11 rebounds, assist, steal, block
Okot was dominant in Las Vegas. She tore through Duke’s defense and then bullied Texas’ elite frontcourt until fouling out. The 6-foot-6 forward has become the inside presence South Carolina lacked last season — strong on the boards, skilled with the ball, and unexpectedly crafty as a passer.
Joyce Edwards
- vs Duke: 32 minutes*, 22 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
- vs Texas: 31 minutes*, 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, block
Coach Dawn Staley challenged Edwards to elevate her all-around game — and she has answered emphatically. She’s no longer just a scorer; she’s facilitating, defending, and hitting clutch buckets when South Carolina needs them most.
Raven Johnson
- vs Duke: 25 minutes*, 10 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds
- vs Texas: 35 minutes*, 7 points, 6 assists, 2 steals, block
Johnson continues to be the heartbeat of the offense. The point guard keeps defenses honest with timely scoring while orchestrating the attack. She was also sensational defensively, locking down Madison Booker for three quarters.
Two Burning Questions
1. Where did the bench production go?
South Carolina’s reserves were shaky all weekend.
- Adhel Tac provided solid minutes.
- Maddy McDaniel showed flashes in limited time.
But overall? The bench delivered just 2 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks against Texas — not enough in a top-tier matchup.
Players like Agot Makeer, Ayla McDowell, and Maryam Dauda struggled to impact the game, highlighting the growing pains of a very young and inexperienced second unit.
2. Will the Gamecocks learn from the Texas loss?
“I’m not upset at all… There are a lot of things to unpack,” Dawn Staley said afterward, emphasizing the lessons available from the defeat.
South Carolina gets a full week of practice before facing No. 22 Louisville. If the Gamecocks haven’t corrected their mistakes, the Cardinals could hand them a second straight loss.
One Favorite Play
At 6-foot-6, Madina Okot dribbling past defenders from behind the arc shouldn’t look this smooth — but it does. A product of her time with Kenya’s 3×3 national team, Okot showcased guard-like handles throughout the tournament, leaving fans buzzing about her versatility.
South Carolina may have left Vegas with a loss, but they also return home with clarity — and a star in Okot who’s growing more unstoppable by the game.
