LIVE FROM COLUMBIA — GAME DAY ON DECK
The South Carolina Gamecocks host NC Central on Sunday in their final matchup before the exam break, and with two straight tight games behind them, this afternoon is all about resetting, retooling, and reinforcing the fundamentals. Here are five key storylines to track as Dawn Staley’s squad hits the floor:
1. Bench Must Step Up
Before the Louisville trip, Dawn Staley made it clear:
“I’m going to have to force the bench to become more productive.”
But that never materialized. In the close win over the Cardinals, the Gamecocks got just four points and four rebounds from the reserves — and Staley didn’t make a single substitution in either the first or fourth quarter.
Maddy McDaniel (5 minutes) and Adhel Tac (3 minutes) saw limited first-half action. Ayla McDowell played nine total minutes across the middle quarters. Maryam Dauda never entered the game.
With a less threatening opponent on Sunday, expect Staley to turn to her bench early and often, trying to force reliability and build depth before SEC play ramps up.
2. Madina Okot Chasing Another Double-Double
Madina Okot enters Sunday tied with Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers for the most double-doubles in the nation (7), each accomplishing the feat in nine games. Both play today, keeping the race alive.
Okot’s averages — 15.3 points and 11.3 rebounds — put her on pace to become the first Gamecock since Aliyah Boston (2022 National Player of the Year) to average a double-double for a season.
Only Boston, A’ja Wilson, and Alaina Coates have done it for South Carolina since 1993. Part of Okot’s motivation for choosing the Gamecocks was the program’s track record of sending elite posts to the WNBA — a group that includes two No. 1 picks and a No. 2 pick.
Her biggest threat Sunday? Playing time. Against Grand Canyon, she logged just 17 minutes and finished with four rebounds.
3. Gamecocks Need Efficiency — In Every Area
Let’s be real: This game isn’t about NC Central. It’s about South Carolina fixing its issues after back-to-back games decided by two points.
That means:
- Sharper defense
- Dominant rebounding
- Cleaner shot selection
Joyce Edwards has shot under 44% over the past two outings, while Ta’Niya Latson hit just 33%. Staley will want both players hovering closer to 50% today.
Don’t surrender leads. Control the boards. Eliminate open looks. Do the basics well, and Staley will happily send her team into the exam break.
4. Will Agot Makeer Return?
Freshman guard Agot Makeer missed the Louisville game due to concussion protocol and did not travel.
Because of the tight turnaround and no pre-game media access, there is no update on her status. We’ll find out her availability the moment warmups begin — if she’s suited up, she’s cleared.
5. Scouting NC Central
A quick geography refresher:
NC Central is located in Durham, not Raleigh or Greensboro — and its campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
But basketball-wise, the Eagles continue to struggle as one of the newer Division I programs. They sit 316th in the NET, though they do have a win over UNC Asheville and nearly stole one at Wake Forest, losing just 68–65.
Their leaders:
- Morgan Callahan (Sr.) — 9.5 PPG, 6.8 RPG
Had 19 points and 12 boards at Wake Forest. - Aniya Finger (Sr.) — 9.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG
Both players posted double-doubles in the win over UNC Asheville.
South Carolina expects to handle business today — but beyond the scoreboard, it’s about reestablishing rhythm, emphasizing fundamentals, and building depth before the season’s toughest stretch arrives.
