COLUMBIA, S.C. – The SC Education Lottery Palmetto Series continues Tuesday night as No. 2 South Carolina women’s basketball welcomes Clemson to Colonial Life Arena for a 6 p.m. tipoff on ESPN2. Doors open at 5 p.m. (4:30 p.m. for Fast Break Pass holders).
Game Preview
South Carolina Gamecocks (2–0)
- Head Coach: Dawn Staley
- Top Scorers: Ta’Niya Latson / Joyce Edwards (18.5 PPG)
- Top Rebounder: Madina Okot (7.5 RPG)
Clemson Tigers (2–0)
- Head Coach: Shawn Poppie
- Top Scorer: Mia Moore (15.5 PPG)
- Top Rebounders: Hinds / Periman (5.5 RPG)
Gamecock Highlights
Tuesday’s clash marks the fourth meeting between the two schools this year in the Palmetto Series. Clemson leads the 2025–26 standings 2–0, following wins in men’s soccer and volleyball, plus a tie in women’s soccer.
The Gamecocks’ offense has been red-hot, ranking 11th nationally with 104.0 points per game. They’re shooting an impressive 61.8% from the field, third-best in the nation and tops in the SEC. Their 67.8% two-point accuracy ranks sixth in the country.
After being challenged by Dawn Staley to bring the same intensity on defense, the Gamecocks have responded in kind. They rank 17th nationally in field goal percentage defense, holding opponents to just 25.7% shooting. Their +53.5 scoring margin also sits 18th in the country.
South Carolina’s up-tempo style has fueled one of the nation’s best transition games — 34.5 fast-break points per contest, the fourth-most in Division I, accounting for a third of their total scoring output.
Dominance in the paint has also been key. The Gamecocks average 53.0 points inside per game (12th nationally), converting 72.6% of their shots in the paint while allowing opponents to shoot just 31.0% in that area.
Every active player on Staley’s roster is shooting at least 50% from the field, with five hitting 60% or better. Three Gamecocks rank among the SEC’s top 20 in field goal percentage: Madina Okot (.714, 5th), Joyce Edwards (.696, 8th), and Ta’Niya Latson (.517, 17th).
The team’s starting guard trio has been exceptional, combining for 46.0 points, 15.0 rebounds, and 16.0 assists per game on 61.8% shooting.
Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards, a 2025 NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team honoree, has picked up right where she left off. She’s averaging 18.5 points, tied for the team lead, and ranks sixth in the SEC in scoring and eighth in field goal percentage (.696). Her 11-for-12 performance against Bowling Green was the fourth-best shooting night in program history and the best since Aliyah Boston’s perfect 13-for-13 outing in 2021.
By the Numbers
- 8 – Eight Gamecocks average over 15 minutes per game.
- 11 – Raven Johnson’s 11 assists vs. Bowling Green are the most by any SEC player this season.
- 300 – A win Tuesday would be the Gamecocks’ 300th victory at Colonial Life Arena, which opened with a win over Clemson on Nov. 22, 2002.
Series History
The South Carolina–Clemson rivalry stretches back to the 1975–76 season, the first year of women’s intercollegiate athletics for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina now holds a 36–33 all-time series lead, thanks to a 14-game winning streak. Under Dawn Staley (since 2008–09), the Gamecocks are 14–2 against their in-state rivals.
In last season’s 77–45 blowout win at Clemson, the Gamecocks overcame an early deficit before taking control with a 29–17 second quarter. They shot 57.6% in the second half to seal the victory. South Carolina native Joyce Edwards tallied eight points and six rebounds — five of them offensive — in her rivalry debut.
Balanced Power
Despite having just 10 active players, South Carolina’s depth remains elite. Six Gamecocks average double figures, while another contributes 8.5 points per game.
Every player is shooting 50% or better, and four rank among the SEC’s top 20 in field goal percentage, led by Okot (.714) and Edwards (.696).
Four Gamecocks also pull down at least 5.0 rebounds per game, including guards Raven Johnson (6.5 RPG) and Tessa Johnson (6.0 RPG).
Up Next
The Gamecocks look to extend their winning streak over Clemson and notch their 300th home victory before heading west to face No. 8 Southern Cal in Los Angeles on Nov. 15 in the “Real SC” showdown.
