FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – January 8, 2026
The No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks extended their dominance over Arkansas with a resounding 93-58 victory at Bud Walton Arena on Thursday night, improving to 16-1 overall and 3-0 in Southeastern Conference play. The final score showed South Carolina winning 93-58, with quarter scores of 29-12, 19-19, 28-14, and 17-13.
First Quarter: Gamecocks Establish Early Control
South Carolina wasted no time asserting their dominance, shooting 68% from the field in the opening quarter while building a commanding 29-12 lead. The Razorbacks briefly held an early 3-0 advantage when Jenna Lawrence connected on a corner three-pointer, but the Gamecocks quickly responded.
Joyce Edwards scored inside to bring South Carolina within 3-2, then Raven Johnson’s driving layup gave the Gamecocks the lead they would never relinquish. The duo of Edwards and Tessa Johnson powered South Carolina’s offense throughout the period. By quarter’s end, Tessa Johnson had nine points, Edwards added eight, and Raven Johnson contributed seven.
Arkansas managed to close within 23-12 on a Wyvette Mayberry three-pointer with 1:42 remaining, but South Carolina answered with six unanswered points to close the quarter, capped by Maddy McDaniel’s driving layup at the buzzer.
Second Quarter: Razorbacks Show Resilience
The second quarter proved to be Arkansas’s best period of the game, as both teams traded baskets evenly. Arkansas matched South Carolina’s 19 points in the second quarter, with Jada Bates providing a spark off the bench with a team-high seven points through a pair of driving layups and a banked-in three-pointer.
Despite the Razorbacks’ improved play, South Carolina maintained its commanding advantage, entering halftime with a 48-31 lead while shooting 61% from the field compared to Arkansas’s 32%. At the break, Edwards and Johnson were tied for the game-high with 14 points each.
Third Quarter: Gamecocks Pull Away
South Carolina reasserted its dominance coming out of halftime, outscoring Arkansas 28-14 in the third quarter to put the game out of reach. Tessa Johnson continued her stellar performance, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Joyce Edwards proved unstoppable with 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting through three quarters.
The Gamecocks’ defensive intensity stifled Arkansas’s offensive rhythm, forcing turnovers and converting them into transition opportunities. Former Arkansas player Maryam Dauda added to the Razorbacks’ frustration, hitting an open three-pointer from the top of the key that drew loud cheers from the substantial South Carolina contingent in attendance.
Fourth Quarter: Final Flourish
In the final period, South Carolina added 17 points while holding Arkansas to just 13, cruising to the 35-point victory. The Gamecocks’ bench players received extended minutes, with several contributing to the scoring column.
Individual Standouts
Joyce Edwards led all scorers with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field and 4-of-6 from the free-throw line. The sophomore forward’s performance continued her impressive season, during which she has been averaging over 21 points per game.
Tessa Johnson finished with a strong all-around performance of 17 points, five rebounds, and three assists, showcasing the veteran leadership expected from the junior guard. Maddy McDaniel orchestrated the offense beautifully, dishing out six assists without committing a single turnover in 26 minutes of action.
Madina Okot controlled the glass with 10 rebounds, including six defensive boards and four offensive rebounds, continuing her nation-leading performance in offensive rebounding.
For Arkansas, Jada Bates provided the brightest spot with 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field. Jenna Lawrence pulled down six rebounds for the Razorbacks, while Taleyah Jones managed just two assists in 24 minutes.
Statistical Dominance
South Carolina’s efficiency was evident in their 52% field goal percentage (34-of-66) compared to Arkansas’s 33% (20-of-61). The Gamecocks also dominated from beyond the arc, converting 54% of their three-point attempts. South Carolina’s careful ball handling resulted in just 13 turnovers compared to Arkansas’s 23 giveaways, a testament to the Gamecocks’ composure on the road.
The rebounding battle favored South Carolina 43-34, with the Gamecocks controlling the boards on both ends. The Gamecocks led for 93% of the game, establishing their largest lead at 37 points.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, South Carolina extended its winning streak over Arkansas to 11 consecutive games and maintained its perfect start to SEC play. The Gamecocks continue to demonstrate why they’re ranked among the nation’s elite, combining suffocating defense with explosive offense. Arkansas, now 11-7 overall and 0-3 in conference play, will look to regroup as they continue their challenging early-season SEC schedule.
South Carolina’s balanced attack and defensive prowess position them as legitimate contenders as the season progresses, while Dawn Staley’s squad continues to build momentum heading deeper into conference play.
References
[1] ESPN. “South Carolina 93-58 Arkansas (Jan 8, 2026) Final Score.” ESPN.com, January 8, 2026. https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/game/_/gameId/401807551/south-carolina-arkansas
[2] Westerman, Ethan. “LIVE SCORE UPDATES & ANALYSIS: Arkansas women’s basketball vs. South Carolina.” Whole Hog Sports, January 8, 2026. https://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2026/jan/08/arkansas-womens-basketball-south-carolina-dawn-staley-razorbacks-gamecocks-score-update/
[3] University of South Carolina Athletics. “Gamecocks Take No. 3 Ranking to Arkansas Thursday.” GamecocksOnline.com, January 7, 2026. https://gamecocksonline.com/news/2026/01/07/gamecocks-take-no-3-ranking-to-arkansas-thursday/
