South Carolina didn't just win on Sunday, they exploded on the court. Joyce Edwards dropped a commanding 25 points and Ta'Niya Latson added another 24 as the second ranked Gamecocks delivered a 121-49 statement victory over Queens University. Madina Okot posted 14 points and 12 boards, and Adhel Tac came off the bench with a career day, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. It was the highest scoring performance of Dawn Staley's 16 seasons in Columbia. There were 10 players on the South Carolina roster that scored Sunday, and each member of Staley's starting five scored double-digit points. South Carolina now moves to 6-0 for the fourth time in the last five seasons, a reminder that this team has no interest in easing into anything.
The Lady Gamecocks are steamrolling behind a new offensive identity. Known for their suffocating defensive pressure, South Carolina is pushing the pace with confidence. Latson, the former scoring phenom at Florida State, is thriving in transition at South Carolina. Edwards at 6-foot-3 and Okot at 6-foot-6 are running the floor and cleaning up everything around the rim.
Sophomore guard Maddy McDaniel finally checked back in for the Gamecocks after being out last four games. She went down with a leg injury in the season opener and sat out the next matchup while she recovered. Right before the rivalry game against Clemson, the program announced McDaniel was suspended. No explanation was provided, and she remained out for three straight games. Sunday marked her first return to action since all of that unfolded.
The Gamecocks head to the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas with Duke waiting on Wednesday and either UCLA or Texas lined up next.
Women's Player Era schedule (All times are Eastern)
Wednesday, Nov. 26
- No. 3 UCLA vs. No. 4 Texas | 2 p.m. | TruTV/HBO Max
- Duke vs. No. 2 South Carolina | 4:30 p.m. | TruTV/HBO Max
Thursday, Nov. 27
- Championship game | 8 p.m. | TruTV/HBO Max
- Third place game | 10:30 p.m. | TruTV/HBO Max