South Carolina women's basketball: Gamecocks rout Bowling Green

Joyce Edwards scored 24 points, and Madina Okot and Raven Johnson had double-doubles as South Carolina routed Bowling Green 114-47

Bowling Green scored first to take a 2-0 lead, but after that, it was an offensive onslaught by South Carolina.

Edwards scored six of the first eight points for South Carolina, and the Gamecocks answered with a 15-0 run. They added 9-0 runs in the second and third quarters, and then a 16-0 run in the fourth quarter. Seven of the nine Gamecocks who played scored in double figures, and South Carolina shot 63.6% for the game.

“I think it was a little overwhelming in the first half,” Fred Chmiel said. “You try to warn these young people about what they’re about to walk into, but there’s nothing that duplicates Colonial Life Arena.”

Edwards scored her 24 points on 11-12 shooting, plus 2-3 from the line. She also had four rebounds, three assists, and a career-high three blocks.

Okot was aggressive from the beginning and finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds. She also finished with three blocks, one shy of her career-high. Raven Johnson added 11 points, assists, five rebounds, and three steals.

Ta’Niya Latson had an off night shooting, going just 5-11, but went 7-7 from the line and had 17 points. Tessa Johnson got in early foul trouble but bounced back to score 14 points and tie her career-high with seven rebounds. 

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Both of South Carolina’s freshmen also scored in double figures. Agot Makeer was forced into early action after Tessa Johnson picked up two quick fouls and scored nine of her 12 points in the first quarter. Ayla McDowell finished with 11 points and made her first two collegiate threes.

“Effort-wise I think I did pretty good, but it all comes from my teammates,” McDowell said. “They pour so much into me, confidence-wise, and I think that’s what increased my performance tonight.”

South Carolina’s 114 points are tied for the second-most under Staley. The Gamecocks also had 114 against Maryland in 2023. They scored 119 against Charleston in 2020.

“I see players who can really score individually, and I see a team that tries to make the right plays,” Dawn Staley said. “They make the obvious, and we are trying to get them to see the un-obvious. Instead of dumping off to a post player, hit the skip. One more skip is a back-breaking play.”

South Carolina had 66 points in the paint, 20 second-chance points, and 21 points off turnovers, with a stunning 37-2 margin in fast break points.

“Once they get going downhill, I don’t know many teams in the country that have put up much of a fight with that,” Chmiel said.

“We got turnovers and then we just executed in transition,” Edwards said. “This game showed how being disciplined on defense can lead to turnovers.”

South Carolina held Bowling Green to 24.3% shooting. Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick was the only Falcon in double figures, with 10 points on 3-11 shooting.

Notes:

Maddy McDaniel was in uniform and warmed up with the rest of the team, but did not play. She had a brace on her right knee. … Former Gamecock Victaria Saxton was at the game with her boyfriend and new daughter. … With her 11 assists on Friday, Raven Johnson moved up to eighth on South Carolina’s career assists list. … South Carolina was plus-four on turnovers and plus-eight in points off turnovers. … South Carolina was 6-14 from three. Bowling Green was 6-26. … Makeer did not play in the fourth quarter after stepping on an opponent’s foot, but Staley said Makeer is fine. … Dawn Staley’s outfit: Staley wore a white Balenciaga hoodie. … Announced attendance was 16,649. … South Carolina’s next game is on Tuesday against Clemson.

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