The SC Education Lottery Palmetto Series will take place on the hardwood Tuesday night at Colonial Life Arena as No. 2 South Carolina welcomes in-state rival Clemson. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. ET on ESPN2, with doors opening at 5 p.m. This matchup marks the fourth contest of this year’s Palmetto Series, which is an all-sport competition between the Gamecocks and Tigers that Clemson currently leads 2–0, with wins in men’s soccer and volleyball and a draw in women’s soccer.
Women's Basketball Game Breakdown
South Carolina Gamecocks (2-0)
- Head Coach: Dawn Staley
- Top Scorers: Ta’Niya Latson / Joyce Edwards (18.5 ppg)
- Top Rebounder: Madina Okot (7.5 rpg)
Clemson Tigers (2-0)
- Head Coach: Shawn Poppie
- Top Scorer: Mia Moore (15.5 ppg)
- Top Rebounders: Hinds / Periman (5.5 rpg)
Gamecock Momentum
The Gamecocks' offense has been nothing short of electric through two games, averaging 104.0 points per game, 11th in the nation, and shooting 61.8% from the field, which ranks third nationally and first in the SEC. Inside the arc, the Lady Gamecocks have been nearly unstoppable, converting 67.8% of their two-point attempts.
After head coach Dawn Staley challenged her team to match offensive energy with defensive focus, South Carolina has answered in a dominant fashion. The Gamecocks will enter the contest on Tuesday night ranked 17th nationally in field goal defense, allowing opponents just 25.7% shooting.
Their transition game also remains lethal. South Carolina ranks fourth in the nation in fast break points, at 34.5 per game, accounting for a third of their total scoring output. The Gamecocks are also pounding teams in the paint, averaging 53.0 points per game inside, more than half of their total offense, while holding opponents to just 31.0% percent on those same shots.
Balanced Play and Firepower
Every player on South Carolina's 10-woman active roster is shooting at least 50% from the floor, including five players above 60%. Three Gamecocks, Madina Okot (.714), Joyce Edwards (.696), and Ta'Niya Latson (.517), rank among the SEC's top 20 in shooting percentage. The team's trio of starting guards has been dynamic early, combining to average 46.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 16.0 assists on nearly 62% shooting (34-of -58).
Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards, who earned NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team honors last season, has picked up right where she left off. She is averaging 18.5 points per game on nearly 70% shooting, including an 11-for-12 performance against Bowling Green, the fourth-best single-game field goal percentage in program history and the best since Aliyah Boston's 13-for-13 masterpiece in 2021.
By the Numbers
- 8: Eight Gamecocks are playing at least 15 minutes per game.
- 11: Raven Johnson’s 11 assists vs. Bowling Green are the most by any SEC player this season.
- 300: A win Tuesday will mark South Carolina’s 300th victory at Colonial Life Arena, which opened in 2002. And fittingly, with a win over Clemson.
The Rivalry
The South Carolina vs. Clemson rivalry runs deep, dating all the way back to the Gamecocks' inaugural season of women's athletics in 1975-76. South Carolina has finally flipped the series in its favor, now leading 36-33, thanks to a 14-game winning streak that has spanned the entire Dawn Staley era.
Last season's 77-45 victory in Clemson was vintage Dawn Staley basketball. The Gamecocks shook off an early run by the Tigers, dominating the second quarter 29-17, and shot 57.6% in the second half to win. The-freshman Joyce Edwards tallied eight points and six rebounds in her rivalry debut.
Final Word
The Palmetto Series always brings a lot of energy, but this matchup has the makings off a statement game. With the Gamecock offense firing on all cylinders and a defense that is already among the nation's elite, South Carolina will look to notch not just another rivalry win, but also its 300th win in Colonial Life Arena.