“Maryam Dauda’s Hidden Impact: The Game-Changing Plays You Won’t See in the Box Score!”

Maryam Dauda’s Silent Domination: The Hidden Key to South Carolina’s SEC Semifinal Win

In basketball, points, rebounds, and assists typically define a player’s impact. The stars who dominate these stats often dictate a game’s outcome. But every rule has its exception, and in South Carolina’s SEC Tournament semifinal against Oklahoma, that exception was Maryam Dauda.

Despite playing just 12 minutes, the Gamecock forward made her presence felt in ways that didn’t necessarily light up the stat sheet. She finished with five points and three rebounds, shooting 1-3 from the field and 3-4 from the free-throw line. On paper, it might not seem game-changing—but her defensive intensity and hustle plays played a key role in South Carolina’s 93-75 victory.

“I just felt like I had to be ready. I feel like Coach (Dawn Staley) and my teammates and the whole coaching staff were confident in me. Whenever my number was called, I was ready to go,” Dauda said.

Instant Impact: Dauda Sets the Tone Early

Dauda checked into the game at the 4:11 mark of the first quarter, replacing Chloe Kitts. Less than a minute later, she drew a foul while battling in the paint. But her impact didn’t stop there. On the ensuing inbound, she snatched a steal that led to a Joyce Edwards basket, pushing the Gamecocks ahead 17-8.

“The last time we played Oklahoma, she did a pretty good job,” Dawn Staley said. “Coming into this game, we knew that we had that in the back pocket.”

Dauda re-entered late in the second quarter and put together one of the busiest 40-second stretches of her career.

First, she grabbed an offensive rebound off a missed three-pointer from Tessa Johnson, setting up MiLaysia Fulwiley’s free throws. Moments later, she batted away a pass from Raegan Beers, turning it into a steal and finishing with a made layup.

And she wasn’t done frustrating Beers—the Sooners’ lone All-SEC First Team selection this season. Later in the quarter, Dauda blocked one of Beers’ shots and baited her into committing a frustration foul after a battle for a rebound.

Heading into the game, Beers had been a dominant force, averaging 21.0 points on 59.3% shooting (17-26) in SEC Tournament play. But against Dauda and the South Carolina defense, she was held to just seven points on 2-10 shooting.

“Knowing that they would be there behind me to get the ball, even when I’m fighting and everything,” Dauda said about her defensive mindset. “Having my feet ready, and also, following Sania (Feagin)’s and Chloe’s footsteps.”

Defensive Spark That Led the Gamecocks

Even as the second quarter wound down, Dauda kept making plays. With just five seconds left in the half, she picked up yet another steal—capping off a nine-minute stretch where she led all South Carolina players with a +17 plus-minus rating.

By the final buzzer, that number grew to +18—the highest individual point differential for any Gamecock. She finished with three steals and just one turnover, proving that her impact extended far beyond scoring.

A Testament to Hard Work

Joyce Edwards has built a strong bond with Dauda in their first season together at South Carolina and praised her relentless work ethic.

“She’s one of the first ones on the court, one of the last ones out of the gym,” Edwards said. “She comes into practice every day. She works hard, 100%, no matter how much playing time she gets. And today, it showed.”

Dawn Staley echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that Dauda’s best basketball is still ahead of her.

“It surely is great to just have her for her confidence to come in the game and impact. Because she came in the game, impacted, drew some fouls on Beers, played really tough,” Staley said. “I think she had family members here that had a chance to see her play live and do well.”

Maryam Dauda may not have stuffed the stat sheet, but her defensive dominance and hustle were crucial in South Carolina’s semifinal victory. With performances like this, the best is yet to come.