Joyce Edwards Shines as South Carolina Dominates NCAA Tournament Opener!
Freshman Phenom Joyce Edwards Makes a Statement
In her NCAA Tournament debut, freshman Joyce Edwards proved why she’s one of South Carolina’s brightest stars. The 6-foot-3 forward dropped 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, leading No. 1 seed South Carolina to a commanding 108-48 victory over Tennessee Tech in Columbia, S.C.
Despite some pre-game jitters, Edwards wasted no time making her mark. She scored six straight points to open the game, setting the tone for the Gamecocks’ dominant performance.
“Everything comes at you, you don’t know what to expect,” Edwards admitted. “Once you get your first rebound, the nerves settle down.”
With her 22-point outing, Edwards even outscored Gamecocks legend and WNBA No. 1 overall pick Aliyah Boston, who had 20 points in her NCAA Tournament debut back in 2021.
Gamecocks Send a Message
South Carolina (31-3) continued to showcase why they are a powerhouse, improving to 17-1 in the past four women’s tournaments, with championship wins in 2022 and 2024. Their only loss? A 2023 semifinal showdown with Caitlin Clark and Iowa.
But under head coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks look primed for another deep tournament run. Staley praised Edwards for her relentless energy, emphasizing how her ability to stay active on the court fuels her confidence.
“The basket gets big,” Staley said, explaining how Edwards’ early success helps her settle in and dominate.
The win also marked a historic moment for South Carolina, as they set a new program record for the highest-scoring game in NCAA Tournament history. Their previous best was 100 points against Quinnipiac in 2017.
MiLaysia Fulwiley added 15 points, and all 12 Gamecocks who played scored, proving the depth of this South Carolina squad.
Next Up: A Rematch with Indiana
South Carolina now sets its sights on No. 9 seed Indiana, who secured a 76-68 victory over Utah. This matchup will bring back memories of their tight 79-75 win over Indiana in last year’s Sweet 16.
With momentum on their side and a championship mindset, the Gamecocks are ready to take the next step in their title defense. Can Edwards and the Gamecocks continue their dominant run? The answer comes Sunday at Colonial Life Arena.
