South Carolina locked down Southern Cal in a 69–52 victory in Los Angeles, showcasing a defense that finally looked like classic Gamecocks basketball. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest takeaways.
Madina Okot Emerging as the Interior Anchor
Madina Okot is quietly becoming everything South Carolina hoped for when it landed her in the transfer portal. After posting 12 points and four boards against Grand Canyon, she followed up with 13 points and 11 rebounds vs. Bowling Green, then 12 points and 12 rebounds against Clemson. On Saturday, she delivered again with six points and a dominant 15 rebounds, anchoring the Gamecocks’ defense far beyond what the stat sheet captures.
There’s still room for growth. Okot occasionally opts for finesse when her natural strength and length are all she needs. And South Carolina can help her more, too. As the writer notes, the Gamecocks aren’t always putting her in ideal scoring spots — sometimes the solution is simple: throw it high and let her finish at the rim.
Joyce Edwards Stealing the Spotlight
Ta’Niya Latson entered the season as a favorite for SEC Player of the Year, but this may be shaping up like the A’ja Wilson–Tiffany Mitchell dynamic: the sophomore stealing the shine from the veteran.
Latson is still adjusting to choosing her moments within the offense. Meanwhile, Joyce Edwards has rapidly become the Gamecocks’ most complete player, elevating her defense, rebounding, and offensive aggression.
Against Southern Cal, Edwards delivered one of her strongest all-around performances: 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and two blocks.
If she can clean up her 3-for-8 free-throw shooting, she’ll be even more dangerous.
Davidson vs. Makeer: The Freshman Showdown
One of the most anticipated elements of this matchup was seeing two elite freshmen — Jazzy Davidson and Agot Makeer — battle on the same floor. Both are long, athletic, and versatile, though Davidson entered as the more polished scorer.
Davidson’s early foul trouble limited her minutes, but Dawn Staley still used Makeer on her frequently. And Makeer rose to the challenge.
South Carolina’s defense won the freshman duel, holding Davidson to just eight points on 4-of-11 shooting with four turnovers. Makeer’s work was excellent, but she wasn’t alone — the Gamecocks repeatedly funneled Davidson into their rim-protecting posts, especially Okot.
Defense Returning to Form
After an uneven defensive start to the season, the Gamecocks looked like themselves again — disciplined, disruptive, and unified. Their effort against Davidson and their ability to force the Trojans into tough shots served as the clearest sign yet that South Carolina’s defensive identity is rounding into shape.
