COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 2/2 South Carolina women’s basketball team returns to Colonial Life Arena on Wednesday night, hosting Winthrop in a 7 p.m. matchup airing on SEC Network.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
- Doors Open: 6 p.m.
- Fast Break Pass Entry: 5:15 p.m.
- College Street Entry for Chalk Talk (Presented by Atkins Law): 5:20 p.m.
TEAM BREAKDOWN
South Carolina Gamecocks (4-0)
- Head Coach: Dawn Staley
- Top Scorer: Joyce Edwards (18.0 ppg)
- Top Rebounder: Madina Okot (10.5 rpg)
Winthrop Eagles (2-2)
- Head Coach: Semeka Randall Lay
- Top Scorer: Amouri Porter (16.0 ppg)
- Top Rebounder: Amouri Porter (8 rpg)
Gamecock Highlights
South Carolina dominated the boards last week, averaging 52 rebounds per game with a +20.5 rebounding margin, including a massive +24 advantage against No. 8/10 Southern Cal. Their season numbers now rank 15th nationally with 48.8 rebounds per game, while the +19.0 margin sits 11th in the NCAA.
Efficiency has also defined the offense. The Gamecocks enter the matchup shooting 52.0 percent from the field, the 14th-best mark in the country. From beyond the arc, they’ve been even sharper, knocking down 46.2 percent, good for 3rd nationally.
Defensively, South Carolina has returned to its trademark dominance. The team leads the nation in field goal percentage defense (.269) and ranks eighth in three-point percentage defense (.178).
Joyce Edwards Heating Up
Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards earned SEC Player of the Week honors after averaging 17.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in wins over Clemson and No. 8/10 Southern Cal. She logged her first double-double of the season against the Trojans and has been the leading scorer in the last three contests. Edwards remains sixth in the SEC in scoring (18.0 ppg) and fourth in blocks (2.3 bpg).
Raven Johnson’s All-Around Impact
Senior point guard Raven Johnson continues to fill the stat sheet with 9.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. With two double-doubles already this season, her poise and playmaking have been crucial for a talented but still-jelling Gamecocks roster.
Madina Okot’s Breakout Stretch
Senior center Madina Okot has rebounded from a difficult opener, delivering two double-doubles in her last three games. Her defensive presence was particularly valuable in slowing down Southern Cal during the team’s first ranked win of the year.
Tessa Johnson’s Strong Start
Junior guard Tessa Johnson is playing the best basketball of her career. She’s averaging 15.0 points (20th in the SEC) and ranks among the SEC’s top 15 in numerous categories, including field goal percentage (.535), assists (3.5), three-point percentage (.474), and threes made per game (2.3).
On Tuesday, five Gamecocks were named to the Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watchlist, making South Carolina one of only two programs with five players recognized.
SERIES HISTORY: SOUTH CAROLINA VS. WINTHROP
South Carolina holds an 8–5 all-time advantage, winning the last six meetings. Only two of those games have come under Dawn Staley, with the most recent being an 86–37 victory on December 13, 2015, in Columbia.
DOMINATING THE GLASS
The Gamecocks’ rebounding effort has surged in week two of the season. The team ranks:
- 15th nationally in rebounds per game (48.8)
- 11th nationally in rebounding margin (+19.0)
- 21st nationally in offensive rebounding percentage (43.1%)
Senior Madina Okot leads the team and sits third in the SEC with 10.5 rebounds per game. Edwards follows with 6.8 rebounds, including 3.0 offensive boards (13th in SEC). Senior guard Raven Johnson adds an impressive 6.3 rebounds per game, highlighted by her season-high 11 boards against Southern Cal.
