Gamecocks Bounce Back in Dominant Fashion: Key Takeaways from South Carolina’s 101-63 Win Over Florida
After suffering their first SEC loss in over three years, South Carolina responded with a vengeance, dismantling Florida in a 101-63 rout. Here’s what stood out from the Gamecocks’ emphatic rebound performance.
Joyce Edwards: Speed Kills
If you didn’t already know how quick Joyce Edwards is, Thursday’s game made it crystal clear. Clocking a 3/4 court sprint time of 3.00 seconds (just behind MiLaysia Fulwiley’s 2.98), Edwards turned the game into a personal track meet.
She consistently outran Florida’s defense, turning defensive stops into instant offense. I lost count of how many times she sprinted ahead for easy layups, but it was a lot. When you’re scoring within five seconds of the shot clock, offensive sets become almost unnecessary.
And that was just part of her game—Edwards’ 28-point performance came from a mix of rim-running, finishing in traffic, and sheer hustle.
Efficiency at Its Finest
Heading into this game, South Carolina needed to clean up some inefficiencies, and they did just that.
- 21-22 from the free-throw line? Check.
- 23 assists on 36 made baskets? Check.
- 24 points off 17 turnovers? Check.
They even improved their finishing inside—21-37 on layups was a major step up from the frustrating 12-26 against Texas.
If history has taught us anything, it’s that this team learns from mistakes and adjusts quickly—even if it sometimes takes a loss to make it happen.
MiLaysia Fulwiley: A Tale of Two Games
MiLaysia Fulwiley’s season continues to be a rollercoaster. On one hand, she stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, five steals, a rebound, and an impressive assist (plus a few great passes that didn’t result in points). On the other hand, her shooting struggles persisted—0-6 from three, 5-17 overall.
Some shots were rushed, but others were just tough luck—at least three layups rolled off the rim. It’s starting to feel a lot like Zia Cooke’s junior season, where even the routine shots seemed to fight their way out.
The silver lining? Fulwiley is still contributing in big ways. She’s locking in on defense, disrupting passing lanes, and setting up teammates for open looks. When the shots start falling, watch out.
Final Thoughts
South Carolina isn’t just winning games—they’re evolving. The Gamecocks’ ability to identify weaknesses and fix them fast keeps them one step ahead of the competition. With the season heating up, this team might have just found its next gear.
