COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball will be short-handed again, as starting guard Tessa Johnson is sidelined with an illness and will miss the Dec. 7 matchup against NC Central.
With freshman Agot Makeer still in concussion protocol, coach Dawn Staley will have just eight available players for the No. 3 Gamecocks (8-1).
Johnson, who poured in 20 points during the 79-77 victory over Louisville on Dec. 4, has been averaging 13.1 points per game this season.
Tessa Johnson injury update ahead of South Carolina vs. NC Central
Staley has only had a fully available roster twice this season. During the season opener, she had all 10 players active, but sophomore guard Maddy McDaniel went down in the third quarter and did not return.
McDaniel was later suspended, missing several November games before rejoining the team for the Las Vegas trip from Nov. 26-27 — the only stretch where Staley had all 10 players from start to finish.
One positive for Staley is the lighter upcoming schedule. After facing NC Central, South Carolina won’t take the court again until Dec. 14, when they host Penn State.
