Joyce Edwards Shakes Slump as Gamecocks Dominate Third Quarter to Reach National Championship
Joyce Edwards found her rhythm at the perfect time, breaking out of a recent slump and powering South Carolina to a dominant 74-57 win over Texas on Friday night, securing the Gamecocks a spot in the national championship game.
Heading into the Final Four, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley had made it clear: the team needed more from Edwards, Te-Hina Paopao, and Tessa Johnson. And when it mattered most—in the third quarter—they delivered.
Edwards sparked a crucial 11-0 run with a strong layup, and the Gamecocks never looked back. Moments later, Paopao drew a foul late in the shot clock. Though she made just one of her free throws, she immediately grabbed a steal off the rebound and converted a layup. Edwards followed with another slashing basket, and Tessa Johnson knocked down two midrange jumpers to stretch the lead to 58-41.
“We really locked in,” said Edwards. “It was just about pushing through and staying aggressive.”
South Carolina didn’t start strong. Texas jumped to a 12-4 advantage at the first media timeout, with Madison Booker scoring six points and notching a steal early. But momentum shifted dramatically when Booker picked up two quick fouls in just 21 seconds, forcing her to the bench.
With Booker sidelined, MiLaysia Fulwiley hit a three-pointer that cut the deficit to one. Edwards then powered in back-to-back layups, keeping the Gamecocks within striking distance at the end of the first quarter.
In the second, Paopao opened with a three that gave South Carolina its first lead. Texas freshman Jordan Lee, who averages just 5.6 points, kept the Longhorns afloat with an impressive 10-point first half.
Texas coach Vic Schaefer gambled by re-inserting Booker with 5:01 left in the half, but it backfired. She picked up her third foul with just under 2:30 to go, fouling Tessa Johnson while trying to stop a fast break.
South Carolina took full advantage, closing the half on a 7-0 run, the longest by either team before halftime, and entered the break with a 38-35 lead.
That early burst from Texas resembled their fast start the last time Schaefer faced Staley in a Final Four matchup—the 2017 national championship—when his Mississippi State team led 7-1 before ultimately falling to the Gamecocks.
Now, history repeats in South Carolina’s favor as they storm into the title game, one win away from another national crown.
