South Carolina vs. Ole Miss Women’s Basketball — SEC Showdown in Columbia
Columbia, SC — The No. 3/3 South Carolina Gamecocks (26-2, 12-1 SEC) will host No. 17/17 Ole Miss Rebels (21-7, 8-5 SEC) in one of the marquee women’s college basketball games of the weekend on Sunday, February 22. Tip-off is set for 12 p.m. ET at Colonial Life Arena, with ESPN carrying the telecast following the 11 a.m. live broadcast of College GameDay from the sold-out arena.
This highly anticipated Southeastern Conference matchup carries significant implications for the final regular-season standings and postseason positioning for both programs.
Game Context & Stakes
South Carolina comes into this game riding a seven-game win streak, having shown a strong balance of offensive firepower and defensive toughness. Most recently, the Gamecocks delivered a convincing 76-57 road victory over Alabama, paced by a 23-point outing from sophomore guard Joyce Edwards — one of the squad’s most dynamic scorers. South Carolina’s 14-0 record at home this season underscores their dominance in front of the home crowd.
The Gamecocks’ offensive efficiency is among the nation’s best: they shoot over 51 % from the field, and when they limit turnovers — a strength this season — they are nearly unbeatable.
For Ole Miss, this contest marks their fourth straight game against a ranked opponent and presents perhaps their toughest challenge yet. The Rebels dropped a tightly contested matchup to No. 7 LSU, 78-70, where they led late but were outscored decisively down the stretch. That loss leaves Ole Miss battling both for a strong SEC tournament seed and the confidence to carry momentum into March.
Key Players to Watch
- Joyce Edwards (South Carolina) — The All-SEC guard is averaging roughly 20 points per game, combining scoring ability with rebounding and defensive activity. Her performance often dictates how smoothly the Gamecocks’ offense flows.
- Tessa Johnson (South Carolina) — A reliable perimeter threat, Johnson has been making consistent impact plays and adds spacing to the Gamecocks’ offense.
- Cotie McMahon (Ole Miss) — A central offensive force for the Rebels, McMahon logged 25 points in the LSU game and will be key if Ole Miss is to keep pace offensively.
- Christeen Iwuala (Ole Miss) — A strong presence on the boards, Iwuala’s rebounding and interior scoring will be critical against South Carolina’s size and depth.
Broader Context
This matchup not only pits two Top-20 teams against one another, but it also serves as a potential SEC regular-season title decider. With South Carolina leading the conference standings and Ole Miss trying to maintain or improve its tournament seeding, both teams have a lot at stake as the postseason approaches.
Adding to the spectacle, College GameDay will broadcast live from the arena, marking another high-profile spotlight on women’s college basketball — a sign of the growing national interest in the sport.
📺 Viewing, Broadcast & Atmosphere
- Tip-off: Sunday, February 22 — 12 p.m. ET
- Network: ESPN (following College GameDay at 11 a.m. at Colonial Life Arena)
Expect a raucous crowd and a tactical battle between two teams with postseason aspirations. South Carolina’s perfect home mark and overall consistency position them as the favorite, but Ole Miss has already proven it can compete with elite competition and will look to steal one on the road.
