On Monday night, the South Carolina women's basketball team started the season with an opening night victory against the Grand Canyon Antelopes 94-54. Head coach Dawn Staley improves to 16-2 in season openers, defeating former assistant coach Winston Gandy in his first game as a head coach.
Getting off to a hot start, Florida State transfer senior guard Ta'Niya Latson didn't waste any time in her debut. Latson scored on the game's first possession on an and-one layup but could not convert the 3-point play. Latson scored or assisted on the team's first 7 points, hitting fellow senior guard Raven Johnson for her first 3-point make of the season. The connection between the former high school teammates was present from the opening tip, outscoring the Lopes in the first quarter between the pair with Johnson scoring 6 points to complement Latson's 8.
Freshmen guards Agot Makeer and Ayla McDowell knocked in their first collegiate points as well, allowing the Gamecocks to take a 19-point lead after the first quarter.
Fueling the early lead, the Gamecocks pushed the pace on both ends of the floor. Defensively, opposing ball handlers faced full-court pressure in addition to aggressive attempts to force turnovers.
On the other end, the Gamecocks moved in transition, finding open shots and not allowing the Lopes to match up in a defensive zone.
Adding to the second-quarter scoring, junior guard Tessa Johnson found a rhythm, hitting all four shots attempts in the second frame to lead the first half in scoring with 13 points.
Carrying momentum into the second half, the Gamecocks fully took control of the game in the third quarter. The team found their spots, knocking down quality looks on the offensive end to complement unselfish play assisting on five of six field goals made in the third.
To go along with open shots, the Gamecocks got to the free-throw line consistently throughout the game, out-shooting the Lopes 17 to 13 from the line.
Continuing late into the game, the Gamecocks shot efficiently from the field, shooting 59% from the field and 47% from beyond the arc. What helped the Gamecocks shoot at a high clip was their transition offense. Speeding up the game, the team forced 17 turnovers and outscored the Lopes 32 to 2 in transition.
Madina Okot, Mississippi State transfer senior center and reigning leader in SEC field goal percentage, also added to the box score as she was one of five Gamecocks in double figures, putting in 12 points and making four of five field-goal attempts to go along with four rebounds.
Finishing the game strong were guards Tessa Johnson and Latson, adding 19 and 20 points respectively. All five starters for the Gamecocks reached double figures as sophomore forward Joyce Edwards put up 13 points of her own.
Raven Johnson ended the contest with a near triple-double, contributing 11 points to go along with eight rebounds and seven assists.
Defensively, the Gamecocks did not waiver, starting the final quarter by forcing a shot clock violation. Regardless of a 30-point lead, the Gamecocks had their best quarter defensively, allowing only 7 points in the fourth.
What's next?
The Gamecocks will remain at home to face Bowling Green University on Nov. 7. The game is set to be broadcast on SECN+ and will tip off at 7 p.m.