Live from Colonial Life Arena — here’s what jumped off the page as No. 3 South Carolina steamrolled NC Central 106–42 on Sunday, despite a messy, stop-and-start performance.
Bench Opportunity… But a Missed One
South Carolina didn’t need Tessa Johnson (illness) or Agot Makeer (concussion protocol) to dispatch NC Central, but their absence meant the Gamecocks lost a prime chance to grow their bench in meaningful situations.
Yes, the reserves logged heavy minutes — but the circumstances weren’t ideal for learning.
Against an undersized NC Central team, it was surprising that Adhel Tac and Maryam Dauda didn’t dominate more.
- Tac, who drew the start, managed only two points and three rebounds.
- Dauda added six points, seven boards, and three blocks, but still didn’t impose herself the way expected.
McDaniel & McDowell Shine
Two reserves did answer the call:
⭐ Maddy McDaniel looked the best she has since returning from injury and suspension — finishing with eight points (all free throws), three rebounds, and three assists. She’s clearly playing her way back into rhythm.
⭐ Ayla McDowell seized the biggest opportunity of her young career, playing 27 minutes and drilling 5-of-7 from deep for 16 points.
This is exactly the long-range shooting Dawn Staley has been saying McDowell flashes in practice.
Latson Finds Her Groove
With no bench relief available, Ta’Niya Latson played 35 minutes, and she made them count.
After starting 1-for-6, Latson got rolling — finishing by hitting 10 of her final 12 shots and going 5-for-5 from three.
She finished with another explosive scoring performance, and her rhythm resembled what we used to see from Zia Cooke — a player who played her best once she saw that first shot fall.
Latson does more off the dribble than Cooke ever did, but she shares one trait: confidence skyrockets once she sees the ball drop.
At Florida State, Latson could shoot through early struggles because the team needed her volume. With South Carolina’s depth, slow starts sometimes make her defer too much. Today looked like the version of Latson Staley wants — aggressive, confident, and relentless.
