In a commanding display of defensive prowess, the No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team triumphed over the No. 5 Texas Longhorns with a 67-50 victory. Joyce Edwards scored 10 points, Raven Johnson with eight points and 10 rebounds, while Chloe Kitts and Te-Hina Paopao each scored 11 points in front of a sold-out crowd on Sunday.
Despite the absence of star forward Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks adapted by leveraging their speed, agility, and shooting accuracy to counter Texas’ size advantage. After trailing in rebounds during the first half, South Carolina rallied to out-rebound Texas by two by the game’s end. The Longhorns struggled offensively, shooting just 28% from the field, including a 4-for-26 performance in the first quarter that led to an early double-digit deficit. The Gamecocks not only snapped the nine-game winning streak for the Longhorns but also limited the preseason All-American guard Madison Booker to seven points on 3-of-19 shooting.
Offensively, the Gamecocks were efficient, shooting 71.4% in the first quarter and although their shooting cooled in the second half, they maintained a solid 51% shooting percentage for the game.
Today's win marks the 11th straight victory, becoming the only team in the nation with 13 wins against Division I teams with winning records. Head Coach Dawn Staley also improved her winning streak against Texas Longhorn Head Coach Vic Shaefer to an all-time record of 14-3.
The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team is scheduled to travel to Tuscaloosa on Thursday, January 16, 2025, to compete against No. 18 Alabama. The game is set to tip off at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. This matchup presents a significant opportunity for the Gamecocks to continue their strong performance in the Southeastern Conference.