South Carolina — NC Central: Dawn Staley Postgame Breakdown
Following South Carolina’s 106–42 rout of NC Central, head coach Dawn Staley met with the media to dissect the win, offer injury updates, and discuss how her short-handed roster continues to adjust. Below is everything she said, paraphrased for clarity while preserving her direct quotes.
On Madina Okot not returning after halftime
Staley confirmed Okot sat out the second half due to illness.
“She didn’t come back in. She was feeling a little sick. What’s going around?”
On starting Adhel Tac and the reasoning behind the lineup shuffle
Staley said the decision was earned and partially strategic.
“She earned it. That’s one. Two, with our guard rotation, wanted to start a big, you know. We knew Madina and Joyce [Edwards], we thought they would play their normal minutes… And then I wanted to see what they look like playing together.”
On the third-quarter turnaround and improved cohesion
Staley acknowledged she urged the team to move away from isolation play.
“We got our own little islands. We gotta make a continent. We got to be able to play together… Joyce was the example of it.”
She added that the team isn’t selfish—just wired to “call their own number” at times.
“Once we play together, everybody will be able to have some fun out there and score.”
On Ta’Niya Latson balancing her scorer’s mentality within a new system
Staley noted the adjustment challenges for a high-volume scorer.
“Scorers are hard. They have a different mindset. When they’re not scoring, really it takes them back… She’s trying to figure out the happy medium.”
Staley emphasized that Latson is becoming a more complete player.
“I just think she’s better as a pro… Her defense is a lot better… She’s got a reputation for scoring. The unknown is, can you play with other great players?”
On navigating a non-conference schedule with varied competition levels
Staley said these games teach discipline far beyond the scoreboard.
“They’re lessons… Can we just play together? And it’s challenging.”
She added that lower-pressure matchups allow the team to work through mistakes.
“It’s great to not have so much pressure that you can play a little bit more free… but at the same time, recognize when that’s not helping the team.”
On Ayla McDowell’s confidence and green light to shoot
Staley credited McDowell’s response to earlier adversity.
“I’m going to be completely honest… it was the Texas game. She was a lot nervous.”
That experience drove McDowell straight into the gym, Staley said.
“She went right to the gym… She can shoot them off, no question. Now she does, and we’re finding her, and she’s making shots.”
On being praised by a recent South Carolina football signee
Staley said the appreciation is shared throughout USC athletics.
“It’s just what we do… Coach Beamer does a great job being the leader of our athletics department.”
She added that the team’s visibility helps build connections across sports.
On whether any signees might join mid-year like Chloe Kitts once did
Staley shut that possibility down.
“Actually, no, not the ones that we signed. No, they’re all committed to their high school.”
On how injuries and limited depth affect team chemistry
Staley admitted it slows development—but she focuses on who is available.
“Yes… it will take a little longer… but I only see what’s in front of us. We had eight today… we just gonna play the hand that we’re dealt.”
On Tessa Johnson’s growing aggressiveness
Staley said Johnson simply “plays the right way” and makes fast decisions.
“Sometimes playing the right way is an aggressive Tessa… The ball wasn’t in her hands very long before she made a decision.”
She noted the team misses Johnson’s steady presence.
“Even Raven… was like, I miss Tessa. Right. So do I, Ray.”
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