South Carolina Dominates Arkansas as Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley Lead the Charge
COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 6 South Carolina bounced back in dominant fashion, steamrolling Arkansas 95-55 on Thursday night, just days after their tough loss to UConn. Joyce Edwards led the way with 18 points, while MiLaysia Fulwiley sparked a second-quarter surge with 10 of her 15 points, helping the Gamecocks (24-3, 12-1 SEC) regain control.
Chloe Kitts made her presence felt with a double-double, scoring 10 points and grabbing a game-high 13 rebounds, while Bree Hall delivered a season-high 14 points to further fuel South Carolina’s offensive explosion.
After a slow start, the Gamecocks found their rhythm, thanks in large part to Fulwiley and Edwards, who came off the bench and electrified the crowd. Fulwiley’s fearless drives to the basket ignited a 23-12 run in the final six minutes of the second quarter, giving South Carolina the lead they never relinquished.
Arkansas (9-19, 2-11 SEC) struggled to find their footing, with Kiki Smith leading the Razorbacks with 18 points. SEC leading scorer Izzy Higginbottom was held to just 10 points on a tough 3-of-17 shooting night, well below her season average.
Key Takeaways from South Carolina’s Victory
- Ball Movement at Its Best: The Gamecocks recorded a season-high 27 assists, showcasing their unselfish play.
- Dominance on the Boards: South Carolina matched a season-high with 57 rebounds, previously set against Wofford (12/29).
- Edwards’ Scoring Streak Continues: For the third straight game, Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks in scoring, pouring in 11 of her 18 points in the third quarter during a commanding 22-2 run.
- Fulwiley’s Hot Streak: MiLaysia Fulwiley extended her double-digit scoring streak to seven games, dropping 10 of her 15 points in the second quarter alone while shooting 4-of-5 from the field.
- Kitts’ Double-Double Machine: Chloe Kitts secured her sixth double-double of the season, hauling in a career-high eight offensive rebounds to go with her 10 points.
- Bree Hall Steps Up: Hall knocked down two early three-pointers en route to a season-high 14 points.
- Tessa Johnson’s Playmaking Shines: Johnson hit two fourth-quarter threes and dished out a career-high six assists, marking her 11th double-digit scoring performance of the season.
- Maryam Dauda vs. Her Former Team: Dauda came close to a double-double, finishing with nine points and eight rebounds—her most against an SEC opponent this season.
South Carolina’s emphatic response to their UConn loss solidifies their place among the nation’s elite as they continue their push toward the postseason.
