BREAKING: The Rematch Everyone’s Been Waiting For
Thursday night’s collision between No. 2 South Carolina and No. 4 Texas at Colonial Life Arena isn’t just another conference game—it’s the sixth chapter in a 369-day rivalry that has captivated women’s basketball. With the Gamecocks holding a 3-2 edge and home-court advantage, this SEC battle promises fireworks.
The Venue Where Dreams Die
Colonial Life Arena has become a house of horrors for opponents this season. South Carolina hosts eight of the NCAA’s 10 most-attended games, averaging a staggering 15,613 fans per contest. That deafening home crowd will witness tipoff at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and a “Beyond Measure Rally Towel” giveaway setting the atmosphere.
Dawn Staley’s Defensive Fortress
What makes South Carolina nearly unbeatable? According to gamecocksonline.com, it’s their suffocating defense. The Gamecocks rank 13th nationally in points allowed (53.6) and third in field goal percentage defense (.319). In SEC play, those numbers only improve—leading the conference with 55.25 points allowed per game.
“In SEC play, 3.0 of the team’s league-best 7.5 blocks per game have come from guards,” the report notes, highlighting South Carolina’s unique defensive versatility.
The Joyce Edwards Phenomenon
Sophomore sensation Joyce Edwards is rewriting the record books, averaging 20.7 points on an absurd 60.6 percent shooting—ranking 12th nationally. She’s not just scoring; she’s dominating with 6.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Her 14-of-15 performance against USF tied for the second-highest single-game shooting percentage in program history.
But Edwards isn’t alone. Senior Madina Okot leads the entire nation with 13 double-doubles while pulling down 11.3 rebounds per game. Senior guard Ta’Niya Latson is enjoying career-high efficiency numbers across the board.
Texas Faces the Ultimate Test
The Longhorns enter with momentum from their November 66-64 victory in Las Vegas, where they hit a game-winner with one second remaining. Madison Booker leads Texas with 19.2 points and 7.3 rebounds, but she’ll face the daunting task of penetrating South Carolina’s defensive wall.
Coach Vic Schaefer’s squad already endured a 67-50 beatdown in Columbia on January 12, when the Gamecocks shot 71.4 percent in the first half.
Historic Dominance
Under Dawn Staley, South Carolina boasts a remarkable 50-6 record against ranked opponents since 2021-22—an .893 winning percentage that borders on absurd. The Gamecocks are 3-1 against ranked teams this season, with their only loss coming in that Vegas thriller.
The Verdict
With South Carolina’s defensive dominance, Joyce Edwards’ unstoppable offensive force, and the intimidating Colonial Life Arena atmosphere, Texas faces their toughest road test yet. Can the Longhorns overcome what Schaefer called the SEC’s “vendetta” scheduling, or will the Gamecocks extend their home dominance?
Source: gamecocksonline.com
