The biggest obstacle for the South Carolina women's basketball team through the first month of the 2025-26 season isn't talent, execution, or results. It's availability. Despite working with a constantly shifting lineup so far this season, No. 3 South Carolina is 9–1 and just steamrolled North Carolina Central 106–42 on Sunday, all while finishing the game with only seven available players. Dawn Staley has had her full 10-player roster available for only four games at tipoff and just three from start to finish. For a program that has built its empire on depth and rotation flexibility, this is unfamiliar terrain.
A Roster Held Together by Duct Tape and Discipline
The latest blow came against NC Central. SOuth Carolina dressed eight players for the first half of the game, then lost Madina Okot to illness before halftime, leaving just seven players for the remainder of the game. Tessa Johnson was out sick, and Agot Makeer remains in concussion protocol.
That roster depletion sits on top of season-ending losses to Chloe Kitts (ACL) and Ashlyn Watkins, shrinking what was already a small roster before a single official game tipped off.
Staley's response has been characteristically blunt. “I only see what’s in front of us,” she said. “We had eight today. I only see eight. We got reduced to seven, I only see seven.” That mindset has become the operating system for the Gamecocks. No excuses, just execution.
South Carolina hasn't found its final form yet because physically speaking, the team hasn't been allowed to reach its potential. But the early returns are telling. The resilience within the team is elite, adaptability is strong, and the new pieces are responding under pressure.
Heavy Minutes, No Complaints
Florida State transfer TaNiya Latson, who was brought in to stabilize scoring on a retooled roster, delivering her clearest statement yet. In the 106-42 win over NC Central on Dec. 7, the senior guard poured in a season-high 32 points, knocked down five 3-pointers, and logged over 35 minutes for the second straight game.
Joyce Edwards continues be a cornerstone for the team, finishing with 25 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. It was her fifth 20-point game of the season. With Tessa Johnson out, Adhel Tac earned her first career start in a reshuffled frontcourt, while freshman Ayla McDowell seized her moment on the court, logging a career-high 27 minutes and scored 16 points. She also hit five triples, spacing the floor exactly how Staley wants.
"Just continuing to work together it's the main thing we always preach, also being disciplined all together," McDowell said. "Coach did tell us 'It's fun when we're all playing together' and that's something we're always working on." The Lady Gamecocks will continue to do what this team has done all season so far by playing whoever is available, playing them hard, and keep winning anyway.