Dawn Staley Reacts After 114–47 Rout of Bowling Green: “I’m Proud of How Much Work They Put In”
After watching her No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks dismantle Bowling Green 114–47, head coach Dawn Staley met with reporters to discuss the team’s dominant performance, early-season improvements, and player updates — including injuries to Agot Makeer and Maddy McDaniel.
On Agot Makeer’s Injury
Freshman Agot Makeer, who had impressed early in the game, left with an apparent injury in the second half. When asked for an update, Staley offered a reassuring sign.
“No,” Staley said. “I mean, she’s not crying, so that’s a good thing.”
The comment, brief but telling, suggested the injury may not be serious.
On Maddy McDaniel’s Status
Junior guard Maddy McDaniel, who sat out the game due to a recent knee issue, was another topic of discussion.
“We wouldn’t have played her, no,” Staley said. “But (we’re) loading her up, trying to see how it responds after just doing probably a little bit more than she’s done in a couple days.”
The Gamecocks are taking a cautious approach, ensuring McDaniel is fully healthy before returning to action.
On Ayla McDowell’s Performance
With McDaniel sidelined and Makeer temporarily out, freshman guard Ayla McDowell saw extended minutes — and impressed her coach with maturity beyond her years.
“Ayla’s predictable, and there is nothing more that a coach wants from a freshman than to be predictable,” Staley explained. “She’s in the right places. She can shoot the ball. Defensively, she’s not gonna look like a Raven (Johnson). But her impact on and off the ball — she stays and plays. She does what we ask of all our guards. If you just look at her, she plays it pitch perfect.”
On Defensive Improvements
Staley emphasized that defense had been a major point of focus during the week — and she was pleased with the results.
“For sure,” she said. “We put a special emphasis on cutting down the amount of miscommunication plays out there — and the lapses. There were some, but not very many.”
The coach credited her team’s growing chemistry and attention to detail.
“You see them formulating chemistry,” Staley added. “We have to be exact right now. Once they get to know each other better, there might be a little wiggle room. But it’s really encouraging to see them bring our practice habits into the game.”
On the New Challenge System
Staley also shared her excitement about the NCAA’s new in-game challenge system, which allows coaches to contest certain calls.
“I was on the officiating committee probably 10 years ago. I asked for that,” she said. “Football was doing it; I was like, ‘We should do this.’ A lot of people looked at me like I had 10 heads.”
Now that it’s finally here, Staley’s thrilled — though she admits there’s a learning curve.
“I do like it,” she said. “I still have to educate myself on when we can do it — because it’s not every play.”
On the Gamecocks’ Offense
South Carolina’s offense has been electric through two games, and Staley broke down what’s driving their success — and where they can still grow.
“I see players who can really score individually,” Staley said. “And I see a team that tries to make the right plays. They do make the obvious plays — we’re trying to get them to make the un-obvious.”
She highlighted one specific moment from the game as an example of offensive evolution.
“Joyce (Edwards) made an incredible pass — she got the ball in the mid-post and zinged it right over to Tessa (Johnson),” Staley recalled. “Those plays are back-breaking. Whether you’re up 50 or down 10, it gives you momentum.”
“We just have to make our players aware of those opportunities,” she added. “Once we do, they actually do a really good job executing.”
On Defensive Pressure and Transition Play
South Carolina’s defense created chaos in the first quarter, forcing multiple turnovers that led to fast-break points — including a stretch of four straight steals and three layups.
Staley credited that stretch to daily repetition and internal competition.
“We have to work it each and every practice,” she said. “Much like we prepare for an opponent, we also have to prepare for ourselves — for the things we need to do in general, not just for one team.”
The Gamecocks’ defensive dominance, Staley said, is a reflection of how hard they’ve worked between games.
“I’m really proud of them,” she concluded. “I’m proud of how much work they put in over the past two days and to see the fruits of their labor today.”
South Carolina improved to 2–0 with the win, looking every bit like the powerhouse team expected to contend for another national championship under Dawn Staley’s leadership.
