South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley sought to ease concerns following an in-game injury to star guard Ta'Niya Latson, who exited Sunday’s win over Providence after appearing to injure her left ankle. Latson was driving down the court to the basket late in the second quarter when she lost her balance and fell in an awkward way. She immediately grabbed her left ankle, wincing in pain, before being helped off the floor. The incident caused concern given that South Carolina has had a recent run of injuries this season. During the postgame, Staley downplayed the severity of the injury while acknowledging the need for further evaluation.
“She’s got an ankle sprain, for right now. Knock on wood,” Staley said in a post-game interview. Later on, Staley said Latson will be reevaluated on Monday to determine the extent of the injury. “She’s smiling,” Staley said, per On3’s Chris Wellbaum. “She got treatment all second half and just walked out. I think we’ll look at her tomorrow.”
Gamecocks Roll Past Providence
Even with Latson sidelined, No. 3 South Carolina had little trouble handling Providence, cruising to a 96–55 victory at Colonial Life Arena. The win improved the Gamecocks to 13–1 on the season in their penultimate non-conference contest. South Carolina showcased its depth, placing six players in double figures. Tessa Johnson and Madina Okot led the way with 18 points each as the Gamecocks controlled the game on both ends of the court.
The win over Providence set the stage for South Carolina's SEC opener against Alabama on New Year's Day.
Caution Likely Moving Forward
Given the nature of Latson’s injury, South Carolina may opt for a cautious approach in bringing her back into the rotation. Staley has historically prioritized long-term health over short-term urgency, particularly with postseason goals in mind.
The Gamecocks have already been navigating a challenging injury landscape this season, making Latson’s availability a storyline worth watching as SEC play ramps up.