Dawn Staley’s squad faced early adversity, trailing 22-13 after the first quarter and losing standout forward Ashlyn Watkins to an alarming knee injury in the second quarter.
The injury occurred with 7:42 left in the half when Watkins drove into the paint for a contested shot. After drawing a foul, she landed awkwardly, and her left knee appeared to buckle. Watkins immediately clutched her knee as she sat on the court, prompting Coach Staley to check on her. With assistance from the team’s staff, Watkins left the court unable to put weight on her leg and headed straight to the locker room. She did not return to the game.
In her postgame press conference, Staley confirmed there were no updates yet on Watkins’ condition, though she noted that Watkins didn’t require a hospital visit.
At the time of the injury, Mississippi State led 24-15. But after seeing their teammate go down, the Gamecocks surged, outscoring the Bulldogs 80-44 for the remainder of the contest.
When asked about the team’s response, Staley credited their ability to rally around Watkins. “Psychologically, for our players, they took it to another level,” Staley said. “We didn’t say much in the huddle. We try to keep things moving, but obviously, we feel for Ashlyn and her injury.”
Staley highlighted the team’s determination: “Her teammates had her back. They took it to another level on both ends of the floor.”
South Carolina’s resilient performance turned a difficult start into a decisive victory, showcasing their depth and resolve even in the face of unexpected challenges.