South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has shown time and time again that she knows how to find talent for her team. It has been seen when she found A'Ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, Kamilla Cardoso, Te-Hina Paopao, and now with Joyce Edwards.
South Carolina took on Wofford at home in Colonial Life Arena for the Gamecocks final non-conference game after a lengthy holiday break, but they still looked like a team hungry for more. Staley's squad walked away with another impressive win as they beat the Wofford Terriers 93-47. The last two games for the Gamecocks looked a little sluggish, but against Wofford, South Carolina finally looked like themselves, and at the right time too.
Freshman forward Joyce Edwards led the team in scoring for the third straight game with 16 against the Terriers. As South Carolina finished up their non-conference play, Staley was able to play her bench a bit more, and Edwards used the opportunity to her advantage. Edwards averaged 21.6 minutes on the floor in the last three games after averaging 19.5 minutes during the first 10 games of the season.
Over this three-game stretch, Edwards is averaging 17.0 points per game over the last three games after averaging just 9.2 throughout the first 10 games of the season. Now, it should be noted that going forward, Edwards's numbers could fluctuate again as South Carolina heads into SEC play, arguably one of the toughest conferences in women's college basketball.
The best part of Edwards's play over the last three games is that it showed Staley that she can be played in big moments and get the job done. Getting the young freshman solid minutes on the court early will only help with her development, and that is something Staley has always done whenever possible.
JOYCE!! 🤯
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) December 29, 2024
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Going forward, we might see more of Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin as players with more experience in close games but say they get in foul trouble or have an injury, Staley has the ability to go to Edwards, knowing what she can do with the ball in her hands.
Edwards wasn't the only Gamecock to have a good game yesterday as Tessa Johnson, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Te-Hina Paopao, and Raven Johnson all scored in double digits. as well. Bree Hall adn Ashlyn Watkins led South Carolina with eight rebounds each, as Watkins has been just a menace on the boards since coming back to the Gamecocks.
With their non-conference schedule officially behind them, South Carolina will now turn their attention to the SEC, a conference that is loaded this season. The Gamecocks were still predicted to win the conference yet again this season, but they will need to play some of their best basketball in order to accomplish that feat.
South Carolina will hit the court on the road to start SEC play at Missouri on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. EST on the SEC Network.