Gamecocks Women Top Charleston in Outdoor Preseason Game: Key Takeaways / sportsearchers.com

South Carolina opened its exhibition slate with a 91-60 win over College of Charleston on Sunday at Credit One Stadium. The article contains no direct quotes, so there’s nothing to preserve on that front.

Game context:
The game was part of the LinkU Invitational, played outdoors at a venue that hosts a Women’s Tennis Association event each year. It was one of three games that day, alongside men’s matchups of Vanderbilt-Virginia and College of Charleston-The Citadel. Comedian Nate Bargatze, a well-known Vanderbilt fan, attended, as did former Kansas and North Carolina coach Roy Williams.

Top performers:

Joyce Edwards: 28 points and 16 rebounds
Tessa Johnson: 23 points

Lineup and rotation:
Coach Dawn Staley started Johnson, Edwards, Agot Makeer, Texas transfer Jordan Lee and Adhel Tac. Everyone but Tac scored in double figures. Johnson and Makeer shared point guard duties.

Key absences:
Stars Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins sat out as a precaution while returning from knee injuries:

Kitts tore her ACL nearly a year ago, has rehabbed well, and warmed up without a brace.
Watkins tore her ACL in January 2025, took last season off from basketball, and rejoined the team in May.

Others who missed the game were Alicia Tournebize (finger), Kaeli Wynn (knee) and Jerzy Robinson (knee). Ayla McDowell played but left in the first half after being hit in the mouth.

First look at newcomers:

Jordan Lee made a strong debut with 15 points, including 4-for-4 from three. She looked comfortable in the backcourt, and the article says it was clear why Staley valued her so highly in the transfer portal.
Freshman Oliviyah Edwards was the first player off the bench and started the second half.
Michigan transfer Brooke Daniels-Quarles was the second reserve in.
Justine Loubens, a 6-foot-2 guard from France, sat the first quarter but played all of the second and most of the second half.

Key takeaway:
The result was never in doubt, but the more important story is depth and health. With several key players sidelined, South Carolina still cruised, and the newcomers, especially Lee, showed they can contribute. The main open questions heading into the season are how quickly Kitts and Watkins return to full strength and how the roster settles once everyone is healthy.