PHOENIX — South Carolina will play UCLA for the national championship Sunday after defeating UConn 62-48 in the Final Four at Mortgage Matchup Center. Garnet Media Group members from The Daily Gamecock and Student Gamecock Television's, or SGTV, discussed which Gamecock they each believed made the most difference in the national semifinal game.
John Davis' Player of the Game: Ta'Niya Latson
My player of the game is senior guard Ta'Niya Latson.
Latson scored the first 4 points of the game for South Carolina. The transfer guard finished with 16 points on the day, along with a total of 11 rebounds, tying her career-high.
She was one of just two players in the game to record double-digit rebounds, joining UConn's sophomore forward Sarah Strong, who had 12. In a game where many expected senior center Madina Okot to be the X-factor given her size, the Gamecocks were able to roll with their "small ball" lineup for the majority of the game. Latson's rebounding in the game led to Okot only playing 20 minutes.
Latson got to the free-throw line with ease in the game as well, going 10-10 from the charity stripe. It's the second time she's done so in the tournament, as she went 10-10 on free throws in the Sweet 16 against Oklahoma as well. She and sophomore forward Joyce Edwards are the only two Gamecocks to notch over 100 total free throw attempts on the season.
With senior guard Raven Johnson getting into foul trouble and Okot's interior presence lacking, it was Latson who made all the difference by leading the team in points and rebounds in the national semifinal victory.
Brett Calabrese's Player of the Game: Joyce Edwards
Calabrese, SGTV's Lead Sports Reporter, picked Edwards as his player of the game.
"I believe Joyce Edwards was player of the game, not for her offensive contributions today, but for her defensive play," Calabrese said. "She was matched up with national Naismith Player of the Year Sarah Strong, and she held her to just 12 points, which is 6 points below her yearly average."
In last season's national championship, Strong's 24 points were tied for the most by any player in the game. Edwards assumed a bulk of the responsibility in defending Strong Friday, and she grabbed a team-high three steals in her efforts.
"(Strong) shot 25% today, 35% lower than her usual," Calabrese said.
She slowed down the Huskies' top contributor and contributed 11 points, eight rebounds and two assists in the game.
"Joyce Edwards was diving on the floor, making all the hustle plays, getting the important rebounds late in the game," Calabrese said. "She had a massive block and a clutch rebound that led to an Agot Makeer fastbreak layup, and that really sealed the game for the Gamecocks."
Zander Collins' Player of the Game: Agot Makeer
Collins, SGTV's Sports Director, picked sophomore forward Agot Makeer as his player of the game.
"For me, Agot Makeer is the player of the game," Collins said. "Not only because of the impact she had on the defensive side of the ball, but also the poise she showed in the moment playing against one of the best teams we've seen in recent years in women's college basketball."
Makeer posted her fifth consecutive game scoring in the double-digits Friday. She's shot over 50% in four of those five outings.
"Still being able to put up 14 points and go perfect from the line and from beyond the arc as a freshman is incredible," Collins said.
The 18-year-old guard hit two 3-pointers, one of which came at the end of the first, and the other came in the fourth quarter as South Carolina put the game away.
"For someone known for her defense and length, she provided a spark plug off the bench," Collins said. "Without her, I don't think the Gamecocks win."