LIVE FROM COLONIAL LIFE ARENA — With a severely depleted roster and a noon tipoff that had all the makings of an early-December trap game, No. 3 South Carolina instead delivered a commanding statement, steamrolling NC Central 106–42 behind dominant performances from Ta’Niya Latson and Joyce Edwards, who each eclipsed the 20-point mark.
Gamecocks Short-Handed — and Then Even More Short-Handed
Before the ball even went up, South Carolina’s depth took another hit. Top reserve Agot Makeer remained sidelined in concussion protocol, and sharpshooting starter Tessa Johnson — averaging 13.1 PPG and a blistering 48.8% from three — was ruled out Sunday morning due to illness. That left just eight available players.
Then things somehow got thinner.
Late in the first half, Madina Okot fell ill and did not return, slashing the bench down to just seven players.
“It’s going around,” Dawn Staley said with a shrug, noting the string of illnesses running through the locker room.
The Gamecocks also had a brief scare when Raven Johnson crashed into courtside seating while chasing a loose ball, grabbing her knee in pain. After a tense moment on the floor, she popped up and stayed in the game.
NC Central’s Early Push — Then the Gamecock Avalanche
The Eagles opened with energy and actually led 7–4 midway through the first quarter. But once South Carolina locked in defensively, the tide turned dramatically.
South Carolina forced turnover after turnover and attacked in transition. Joyce Edwards sparked a 22–7 run to close the quarter, dropping eight quick points as the Gamecocks seized control.
The second quarter featured a burst from Okot, who tallied 10 points and nine boards in just 11 minutes before illness sidelined her. Her streak of double-doubles ended, but her impact was undeniable.
Despite a sloppy first half, South Carolina led 46–25 at the break — and the best was yet to come.
A Ruthless Third Quarter
Whatever Staley said at halftime landed.
“We’ve got our own little islands. We’ve got to be able to play together,” Staley said. “Everybody started to just play for each other rather than self.”
The Gamecocks opened the third quarter with a 26–0 explosion, outscoring NC Central 28–2 in a defensive masterclass. The Eagles shot 1-for-16 and coughed up nine turnovers in the period alone.
“It was the game plan to get in the gaps and get steals,” Latson explained.
Fourth-Quarter Fireworks
With no bench to lean on, South Carolina kept the pace high in the final frame, pouring in 32 points on 60% shooting and knocking down 4 of 5 threes.
Star Performances
- Ta’Niya Latson: 32 points (Gamecock career-high), 11-18 FG, 5-of-9 from three, 4 rebounds
- Joyce Edwards: 25 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists (tied career-high), 3 blocks
- Ayla McDowell: Career-high 16 points, 5-of-7 from three, in 27 minutes
- Adhel Tac (first career start): 2 points, 3 rebounds
- Maddy McDaniel: Season highs — 8 points (all free throws), 3 assists, 2 steals
- Maryam Dauda: 6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks
NC Central’s Tierney Coleman led the Eagles with 14 points.
Notes from the Arena
- Makeer and Johnson were not on the bench.
- NC Central committed 36 turnovers, nearly matching the top-five marks in USC record books (5th all-time: 38).
- South Carolina scored 42 points off turnovers.
- The Gamecocks shot 51% from the field and hit a season-high 11 threes (11-for-21).
- USC went 27-for-34 from the line.
- NC Central finished at 30% shooting.
- Dawn Staley’s fit: a sleek black Givenchy hoodie.
- Announced attendance: 15,677.
- South Carolina now pauses for exam week and returns Sunday, Dec. 14 vs. Penn State.
