No. 2 South Carolina Looks to Extend HBCU Winning Streak in Road Contest
COLUMBIA, SC – The second-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks will take a break from Southeastern Conference play on Sunday, January 18, when they travel to Baltimore to face Coppin State at PEC Arena. The noon tipoff will be available for streaming on ESPN+, according to gamecocksonline.com.
Road Warriors Under Dawn Staley
Head coach Dawn Staley has built an impressive legacy in non-conference competition, compiling a remarkable 192-36 record in regular-season games outside of league play. Perhaps more impressive is the team’s road performance in these matchups, where the Gamecocks boast a 45-13 record under Staley’s leadership.
The upcoming contest represents another chapter in South Carolina’s dominant history against Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Since Staley took the reins in 2008-09, the Gamecocks have never lost to an HBCU opponent, standing at a perfect 27-0 in such matchups. This marks the 15th season featuring at least one HBCU on the schedule and the 14th time one has appeared during the regular season. Of the previous 27 games, three came during NCAA Tournament play, while only three have been contested on the road—at Hampton, Savannah State, and Alabama State.
Offensive Efficiency Remains Elite
South Carolina’s offensive prowess continues to be a defining characteristic this season. The Gamecocks rank third nationally with a .515 field goal percentage, a number that climbs even higher to 54.3 percent in non-conference games. The depth of their shooting efficiency is evident across the roster, with six players converting at least 50 percent of their field goal attempts in non-conference play, including three hitting at an impressive 60 percent or better clip.
Defensive Dominance and Shot-Blocking Prowess
While the offense generates headlines, South Carolina’s defense has been equally formidable. The Gamecocks have suffocated opposing offenses to the tune of 54.2 points per game, ranking 12th nationally in scoring defense. Their field goal percentage defense of .324 ranks third in the country, demonstrating their ability to contest and alter shots effectively.
A significant contributor to this defensive efficiency is South Carolina’s shot-blocking ability. The team ranks fourth nationally with 6.6 blocks per game, swatting away 16.0 percent of opponents’ two-point attempts—the 10th-best rate in college basketball.
Joyce Edwards: A National Player of the Year Candidate
Sophomore Joyce Edwards continues her sensational campaign as one of the nation’s premier players. Currently averaging 20.3 points per game (14th nationally) while shooting an exceptional 59.2 percent from the field (15th in the nation), Edwards has established herself as a legitimate National Player of the Year candidate.
Her impact extends well beyond scoring. Since SEC play began, Edwards has elevated her rebounding to 6.4 boards per game, placing her in the league’s top 20. In conference games specifically, she’s averaging 7.2 rebounds, good for 12th in the SEC. Her defensive presence is equally notable, as she ranks among the conference’s top 15 in blocks (1.5 per game, 9th), steals (2.0 per game, 12th), and offensive rebounds (2.8 per game, tied for second). She’s also contributing 2.4 assists per contest, showcasing her well-rounded game.
Raven Johnson’s Career Year
Senior point guard Raven Johnson has been the steady hand guiding South Carolina’s success throughout her tenure. The Gamecocks have compiled an astounding 125-6 record in games she’s appeared in over the past four seasons—a testament to her value to the program.
Already entrenched among South Carolina’s all-time assist leaders, Johnson is experiencing the most productive offensive season of her career. She’s averaging 10.2 points per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range. In SEC competition, her efficiency has been even more remarkable, as her 52.0 percent shooting ranks fifth in the conference.
On Thursday against Texas, Johnson reached another milestone, moving into fifth place in program history with 510 career assists after dishing out six helpers in that contest.
Paint Dominance Continues
Despite fielding a guard-heavy roster, South Carolina continues its tradition of controlling the paint. The Gamecocks are second nationally, averaging 49.2 points in the paint per game, with 55.5 percent of their total scoring coming from that area. They’re outscoring opponents in the paint by an average of 27.2 points, including a 15.6-point advantage in SEC games.
The team’s interior efficiency is staggering—South Carolina shoots 62.3 percent in the paint compared to just 40.6 percent for opponents. The Gamecocks tied their program record for single-game paint points with 74 in consecutive road games at USF (December 18) and FGCU (December 20).
“Mighty Mouse” Finding Her Rhythm
Sophomore point guard Maddy McDaniel, affectionately nicknamed “Mouse,” has emerged as a valuable spark off the bench with her energy and quickness. As 2026 began, McDaniel has strung together increasingly consistent performances in both practice and game situations.
Through five SEC games, McDaniel leads the conference with an impressive 5.0 assist-to-turnover ratio while averaging 3.0 assists in 23.7 minutes per game—evidence of her growing comfort and effectiveness running the offense.
Series History
South Carolina and Coppin State met earlier this season on November 14, 2024, in Columbia, with the Gamecocks cruising to a 92-60 victory. Edwards and Maryam Dauda each scored 10 points in their debut seasons. After leading 23-16 following the first quarter, South Carolina steadily pulled away, finishing the game shooting 51.5 percent from the field.
By the Numbers
- 127: South Carolina has been ranked in the AP top 10 for 127 consecutive polls, the longest active streak in women’s college basketball and eighth-longest all-time.
- 23.4: The Gamecocks rank second nationally with 23.4 fast break points per game, showcasing their ability to score in transition.
As South Carolina prepares for Sunday’s noon tip against Coppin State, all signs point to another dominant performance from the nation’s second-ranked team.
Source: gamecocksonline.com
