The No. 2 South Carolina women’s basketball team defeated the Anderson Trojans 112-31 in an exhibition match on Friday evening at Colonial Life Arena.
The first quarter showcased a new starting lineup for South Carolina, featuring a blend of newcomers and returning players. Senior guard Raven Johnson set the tone early with the first three-pointer of the game, followed by a quick bucket by senior guard Ta’Niya Latson.
Senior center Madina Okot made an immediate impact defensively with a big block and then added a basket of her own as the Gamecocks went on a commanding 16-0 run.
Okot continued to dominate the paint with another block and score, while Raven Johnson added to the lead with a bucket, and junior guard Tessa Johnson extended the momentum with a three-pointer.
Sophomore forward Adhel Tac entered the game for Okot and contributed on both ends, drawing a foul after a block attempt and scoring in the paint shortly after. Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards followed up with a three-pointer, pushing the Gamecocks’ lead even further.
Freshman guard Ayla McDowell and Tac both found the basket before Anderson’s graduate guard Ciara Harris stole the ball for a fast-break layup.
Freshman guard Agot Makeer capped off the dominant first-period performance with another bucket, giving South Carolina a 31-6 lead.
To begin the second quarter, Makeer quickly forced a steal and finished with a bucket to extend the Gamecocks’ lead. Another steal and a basket by Okot added to South Carolina’s dominance, followed by a strong drive and finish from Latson.
Raven Johnson then converted a layup to push the score to 41-6, prompting Anderson to call a timeout with 6:32 remaining in the half. South Carolina continued on its relentless run, closing the half on a 17-0 scoring run to take a commanding 61-8 lead into halftime.
Anderson went on a 6-0 run early in the second half before sophomore guard Maddy McDaniel answered with a layup. Edwards forced a jump ball and then followed it up with a three-pointer to extend the lead. Senior forward Maryam Dauda added a basket in the paint, but Anderson countered with a three-pointer of their own.
Okot and Makeer scored to help give the Gamecocks a 96-25 lead with 7:13 remaining. Okot added another basket before drawing a foul on Harris. Makeer’s next basket pushed the Gamecocks to the 100-point mark.
A jump ball gave the Gamecocks possession once more, and Latson capped off the scoring with a smooth layup. South Carolina closed out the exhibition in commanding fashion, defeating Anderson 112-31.
Utilizing the bigs
South Carolina’s post players were a focal point on the offense with their ability to score inside. Okot anchored the interior with 17 points on 8-for-17 shooting and a team-high 15 rebounds, including 11 on the defensive end and six blocks to prevent second-chance opportunities.
“It feels good because I’m trying to aim higher,” Okot said. “I’m trying to improve my performance from last season, and I’m so glad that they’ve been helping me in practice to make sure that I’m doing whatever I’m supposed to do right.”
Tac also made an impact off the bench, finishing with seven points and eight rebounds. Her 3-for-3 shooting performance and work on the defensive glass further demonstrated the dominance of South Carolina at the center position.
Defense shines
South Carolina’s defense controlled the pace from start to finish, forcing 24 turnovers that led directly to 34 points on the other side. The Gamecocks’ full-court pressure and activity in the passing lanes consistently disrupted Anderson’s rhythm, limiting the Trojans’ ability to create clean looks at the basket.
The Gamecocks’ collective effort was evident across the board. Latson and Tac each recorded blocks, while multiple players contributed steals to extend the Trojans’ scoring droughts. South Carolina capitalized on transition opportunities as well, scoring 52 fastbreak points off defensive stops.
“It’s really important to see people step up and give us something that maybe we didn’t see a whole lot of in practice,” head coach Dawn Staley said.
Edwards dominates inside the paint
Edwards was a commanding force inside for South Carolina, finishing with 27 points on 9-for-13 shooting. The sophomore forward showed efficiency around the rim, converting two three-pointers and going 7-for-8 from the free-throw line to round out a balanced scoring performance.
Her presence in the paint set the tone for South Carolina’s offense, which totaled 68 points in the paint and 28 completed layups. Edwards pulled down eight rebounds, five of them on the offensive end, helping the Gamecocks to a 19-0 advantage in second-chance points.
“I just did what the game gave me and just had fun,” Edwards said.
Beyond her scoring, Edwards added three assists and three steals, maintaining control in traffic and creating additional looks for teammates. Her performance highlighted South Carolina’s interior dominance, as the Gamecocks out-rebounded Anderson 61-28 and finished the night shooting over 53% from the field.
What’s next?
The No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to face the North Carolina Tar Heels in their second exhibition game. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Oct. 30.