South Carolina Gamecocks Dominate Southern Jaguars in NCAA Tournament Opener

The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team commenced their 2026 NCAA Tournament journey with a commanding 103-34 victory over the Southern Jaguars, marking the largest margin of victory in the program's NCAA Tournament history. The Gamecocks, entering the tournament as a No. 1 seed, showcased their dominance from the outset, establishing a 15-0 lead and maintaining control throughout the game. This 69-point win not only highlights South Carolina's strength but also ties for the second-largest blowout in women's NCAA Tournament history since 2018.

The Sporting NewsSouth Carolina turns opener into message game for rest of fieldThe StateESPN

Joyce Edwards emerged as the standout player, scoring a career-high 27 points, along with eight rebounds and three assists. Edwards' performance was pivotal, particularly in the first half, where she scored 19 points. Other notable contributions came from Madina Okot with 15 points, Ta'Niya Latson with 17 points, and Tessa Johnson, who recorded her first career double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. South Carolina's offensive efficiency was evident as they outshot Southern 50% to 22.9% in the first half, leading 44-19 at halftime.

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Despite the overwhelming defeat, Southern's head coach acknowledged the effort of his team, stating, “They are a well-coached basketball team on both sides of the basketball. I thought they got out-talented tonight.” This sentiment reflects the competitive nature of the tournament, where the Gamecocks' talent was a significant factor in the outcome.

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The victory positions South Carolina favorably as they advance to the second round, where they will face the winner of the matchup between the No. 8 Clemson Tigers and No. 9 USC Trojans. The Gamecocks previously defeated both teams during the regular season, setting the stage for a potentially intense rematch. Coach Dawn Staley emphasized the importance of building momentum as the tournament progresses, stating, “We’ve got to keep building off of it, building our momentum throughout the tournament.”

South Carolina turns opener into message game for rest of field

In response to the game, Coach Staley remarked on the performance of her team and the effort of Southern, highlighting the need for continued improvement as they move forward in the tournament. Edwards expressed a sense of normalcy regarding her performance, indicating her focus on executing the game plan effectively.

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The Gamecocks will face either Clemson or USC on Monday, March 23, at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. The specific game time is yet to be determined. As South Carolina looks to capitalize on their historic win, they aim to maintain their momentum and advance further in the tournament.

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• “I thought Southern did a really good job of defending and doing the best that they can against our team,” — Dawn Staley, Head Coach

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• “Like Coach said in the locker room, we’ve got to keep building off of it, building our momentum throughout the tournament.” — Ta'Niya Latson, Player

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• “To go out with that type of game and with these people is amazing.” — Agot Makeer, Player

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This decisive victory not only sets a tone for South Carolina's tournament aspirations but also reinforces their status as a formidable contender in women's college basketball.

The Sporting News