South Carolina Bounces Back With Dominant Win Over No. 5 Vanderbilt

Three days earlier, South Carolina women’s basketball was making headlines for all the wrong reasons following their second loss of the season—an overtime upset by No. 16 Oklahoma that raised questions about the team’s consistency.

Coach Dawn Staley’s squad provided an emphatic answer on Sunday, crushing No. 5 Vanderbilt 103-74 at Colonial Life Arena. The victory improved South Carolina to 20-2 overall and 6-1 in SEC play while ending Vanderbilt’s undefeated season and dropping the Commodores to 20-1.

Two players who struggled against Oklahoma—Madina Okot and Ta’Niya Latson—led the resurgence with vastly improved performances.

Strategic Adjustment for Okot Pays Dividends

Okot had been ineffective against Oklahoma, playing just nine minutes through three quarters and managing only six points and four rebounds—well below her season average of a double-double.

Staley made a significant change for the Vanderbilt game, bringing Okot off the bench instead of starting her. The coach inserted freshman guard Agot Makeer into the starting lineup instead, creating a smaller, quicker group.

After the game, Staley explained the decision was designed to relieve pressure on Okot, who has been expected to fill the shoes of former South Carolina dominant post players A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston.

“We’re putting her in situations that we had players build to those moments,” Staley said. “A’ja [Wilson] built to that moment. Aliyah [Boston] built to that moment. They didn’t come in as freshmen and have to be the dominating big that they became. I know what that feels like…I can identify it, and we needed to just take a little bit off of her.”

The adjustment worked brilliantly. Okot nearly recorded a double-double with 17 points and seven rebounds while adding five steals and one block.

Teammate Tessa Johnson, who contributed 20 points herself, noticed the difference immediately.

“I feel like it was a different presence for Madina out there,” Johnson said. “That’s the Madina that we’ve been missing. And I think she really picked it up, and it was good. It was good for her and for the team.”

Staley drew parallels to a similar decision she made years ago with Wilson, who went on to become a four-time WNBA MVP and South Carolina legend. Wilson started only one game during her freshman season before Staley moved her to a reserve role.

“Sometimes that’s all some players need – is a different look at it,” Staley said. “We did that with A’ja Wilson. Wilson started her first collegiate game. You could see the pressure to perform and you saw her wilt to that pressure.”

Latson Responds to Poor Performance

Ta’Niya Latson, last season’s NCAA scoring leader, had endured one of her worst games against Oklahoma, scoring just six points on 1-of-10 shooting—matching a career-low for made field goals.

The subpar outing fueled Latson heading into the Vanderbilt matchup.

“I knew it wasn’t my best game,” Latson said. “I knew I had to bring more, especially going into a top five matchup and playing a team like Vandy. We had personal conversations, and we had to watch a lot of film. It’s just a learning experience. So I knew tonight I had to go out there and just be myself.”

Latson delivered a comprehensive performance Sunday, leading South Carolina with 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting. She also contributed five rebounds, five assists, and two steals.

The 21-point effort marked Latson’s first 20-plus point game in 2025. Her previous high came in December when she scored 32 against North Carolina Central.

Staley praised Latson’s competitive mentality and two-way impact.

“She only wants to see herself play and perform at the highest level,” Staley said. “And when she’s anything but that, she makes adjustments. Her shots were falling today, she got to the rim, but she defended. Like she defended. When you’re able to play both sides of the ball and impact it that way, it’s only going to be good results.”

The convincing victory demonstrated South Carolina’s championship pedigree—their ability to make necessary adjustments and respond decisively after a disappointing loss. For a team with national title aspirations, Sunday’s dominant performance against a top-five opponent sent a clear message that the Gamecocks remain a force to be reckoned with.