The Gamecocks women's basketball team began the season with a home victory Monday night, defeating Grand Canyon University 94-54. As head coach Dawn Staley enters another season at the helm of the No. 2 team in the country, her roster shows great depth in its guards.
Although senior forwards Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts were absent due to respective ACL injuries, the Gamecocks showed in the season opener that the guards could carry the load offensively.
Against the Antelopes, guards accounted for 72% of the team's points, with three guards reaching double digits in points. Leading the charge as the team's true point guard, three-year starter senior Raven Johnson scored 11 points in addition to eight rebounds and seven assists.
Raven Johnson also showed her high effort on defense with three steals, pressing the opposing ball handler's full court to go along with a career high of three 3-pointers made.
“She's a winner. You can't shut her down because she can impact the game in both ways," Grand Canyon head coach Winston Gandy said. “She’s the best in the business. ”
Newly-minted starter junior Tessa Johnson also had a big opening night for the Gamecocks. Tessa Johnson scored a team high of 13 points in the first half and finished the game with 19. She found consistent success creating for herself in the midrange and efficiently knocked down threes shooting 50% from deep.
“Tessa (Johnson) has been building to be this type of guard,” Staley said. “That’s what juniors are supposed to look like, when they put it all together.”
Coming into the season, the most touted guard and newcomer senior Ta'Niya Latson joined the Gamecocks from Florida State. In her first game, Latson did not disappoint, as she scored a team high of 20 points, shooting 7-10 from the field.
In recent years, the Gamecocks have not had a prolific ball handler, but from the opening possession Latson imposed herself getting to the rim eluding defenders. Only attempting two 3-pointers, Latson made one but in turn found success close to the basket and at the free throw line, making a game-high of five free throws.
Latson, Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson combined for 14 assists in the season opener, showing quick chemistry early into the season. Latson said it's been a point of emphasis in the preseason to develop that connectivity.
"Building confidence and chemistry with each other and getting those reps in is very important," Latson said. "And then finding the open man. That's what coach always insists on, just 'one more' mentality."
To combat early foul trouble to senior center Madina Okot, Staley was forced to lean into her guards even further running four guards at times. This strategy was largely successful, scoring 94 points in the game and knocking down nine threes in the first half.
To complement the fast pace of play for the Gamecocks, a trademark for a Staley team in its depth was on full display. Having fresh guards to press full court and get out in transition paid dividends in the victory. The Gamecocks outscored the Antelopes 32 to 2 in fast break points.
In her first collegiate action, freshman guard Ayla McDowell showed great confidence in the opener. Not only did McDowell score 9 points shooting 60% from the field, she was poised in attacking the rim and finding her shot. Fellow freshman guard Agot Makeer made her mark scoring 5 points and blocking three shots. Both made immediate impacts playing less than 20 minutes.
While not necessarily typical to play four guards at a time for a Staley-led team, the Gamecocks responded in stride showing continuity early in the season.
What’s Next?
The Gamecocks will host Bowling Green on Friday, Nov. 7. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on SECN+.