Ta’Niya Latson Shines in Gamecock Debut as South Carolina Dominates Grand Canyon 94–54
Ta’Niya Latson made an instant impact in her South Carolina debut, scoring 20 points to lead the No. 1 Gamecocks to a commanding 94-54 season-opening win over Grand Canyon.
Latson, who transferred from Florida State after leading the nation in scoring last season with 25.2 points per game, wasted no time showing why her arrival was so highly anticipated. South Carolina, which lacked a consistent go-to scorer last season, seems to have found its answer.
If opening night was any preview, this new partnership is off to a perfect start. Latson needed only 10 shot attempts to reach 20 points, seamlessly fitting into the offense as the Gamecocks ran sets designed to feature her — including several at the elbow — and she delivered each time.
Perhaps most impressively, Latson’s scoring came within the flow of the offense. She added four assists and committed just two turnovers, displaying a balance of efficiency and poise.
Her former high school teammate Raven Johnson nearly recorded a triple-double, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Johnson also matched her career high with three three-pointers, all of which came in the first half.
Freshman forward Joyce Edwards battled early foul trouble and never found her rhythm, contributing 11 points. But sophomore Tessa Johnson continued her strong form, following up a 19-point exhibition showing against North Carolina with another 19-point performance. She shot 8-for-13 from the field and 5-for-6 from beyond the arc, scoring from every spot on the floor while also grabbing five rebounds and dishing three assists.
With Latson’s elite scoring, Johnson’s all-around playmaking, and Tessa Johnson’s continued growth, the Gamecocks’ offense looked sharper and deeper than ever to start the new season.
