COLUMBIA, S.C. — The No. 2/2 South Carolina women’s basketball team closes out its two-game homestand on Sunday, Nov. 23, welcoming Queens to Colonial Life Arena for a 2 p.m. tipoff. Fans can catch the action live on SECN+.
GAMEDAY DETAILS
- Doors Open: 1 p.m. (12:30 p.m. for Fast Break Pass holders)
Team Breakdown
South Carolina Gamecocks (5-0)
- Head Coach: Dawn Staley
- Leading Scorer: Joyce Edwards (18.8 ppg)
- Leading Rebounder: Madina Okot (10.6 rpg)
Queens Royals (3-2)
- Head Coach: Jen Brown
- Leading Scorer/Rebounder: Brenae Grant-Jones (13.8 ppg, 13.8 rpg)
Gamecock Highlights and Trends
Even while sitting fourth nationally in field goal percentage at .545, South Carolina’s work on the offensive glass has been just as dominant. The Gamecocks average 18.4 second-chance points, ranking 13th in the nation, and sit eighth in offensive rebounding percentage by recovering 47.3% of their missed shots.
Defensively, South Carolina has allowed only one opponent to surpass 55 points this year. The Gamecocks boast the No. 14 scoring defense (49.2 ppg allowed) and hold opponents to just 27.9% shooting, the third-best defensive field goal percentage in the country.
Their rebounding has surged since opening night. Over the last four matchups, South Carolina has grabbed 50.8 boards per game with a staggering +22.8 margin. Overall, the team ranks fifth nationally in rebounding margin (+19.6) and 12th in rebounds per game (48.2).
Offensive Leaders on the Rose
Unanimous national player of the year contenders Joyce Edwards and Ta’Niya Latson are pacing the South Carolina offense.
- Edwards’ 18.8 points per game place her fourth in the SEC, and she holds the eighth-best field goal percentage in the league at .580.
- Latson sits right behind her with 17.0 points per game, and a .556 field goal percentage, ranking 12th in the SEC.
Both stars already have multiple 20-point performances and are scoring with remarkable efficiency.
Tessa Johnson, emerging as another consistent threat, is averaging 13.8 points, shooting .462 from deep (third in the SEC) and .510 overall, both career-best numbers. Coaches have praised her not only for scoring but also for her smart, composed play.
Senior forward Madina Okot has been a force on the boards, pulling down double-digit rebounds in four straight games. She stands third in the SEC and 24th nationally with 10.6 rebounds per game, including 3.8 offensive rebounds per outing (fourth in the SEC). Her role on offense is increasing as well; she has taken at least 11 shot attempts in each of the last three games and handed out a career-high three assists against Winthrop on Nov. 19.
At the point, Raven Johnson continues to orchestrate the offense masterfully. She ranks third in the SEC in assists per game (6.8, 10th nationally) and third in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.3).
Series History vs Queens
South Carolina and Queens have met only once in women’s basketball. The lone matchup took place on Jan. 27, 1979, when Queens was still known as Queens College. The Gamecocks won decisively, 103-55, in Raleigh.
Dominating the Paint — A Staley Signature
Owning the interior has long been a hallmark of South Carolina basketball, and this season follows the same trend.
A massive 57.1% of South Carolina’s scoring comes in the paint, placing them fifth nationally with 51.2 paint points per game. The Gamecocks are overpowering opponents in that area by an average of 30.8 points per game, shooting 64.6% around the rim while holding opponents to 36.2%.
What makes this production even more impressive is its balance. Guards alone account for 20.8 points in the paint, making up 40.6% of the team’s total scoring down low.
