South Carolina women's basketball: Joyce Edwards and the newcomers lead South Carolina's win over Anderson

Joyce Edwards scored 27 points as South Carolina cruised to a 112-31 win over Anderson, but it was the new Gamecocks who stole the show.

Transfer Madina Okot had a double-double with 17 points, 14 rebounds, and six blocks. Ta’Niya Latson, who led the nation in scoring at Florida State last season, scored 14 points. Freshman Agot Makeer joined them in double figures with 16 points, six rebounds, five steals, and four assists. Finally, Ayla McDowell chipped in six points. 

“Right now I feel (more) comfortable compared to last season because it was my first season over here,” Okot said.

“You can see her dominance. It ebbs and flows, but you can see it,” Staley said. “Just really scratching the surface of how dominant she can be out there.”

As expected, South Carolina started Raven Johnson, Latson, Tessa Johnson, Edwards, and Okot. They helped South Carolina get out to a 16-0 lead before Anderson got a bucket. 

The Gamecocks were in cruise control all of the first half, leading 31-6 after the first quarter and 61-8 at halftime. 

They came out of the halftime break unfocused, giving up an 8-0 Trojan run. That led to a line change from Dawn Staley, and the second unit got things back on track. The Gamecocks led 85-23 after three quarters and hit the century mark with just under four minutes remaining.

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Makeer scored 10 of her points in the second half as she settled into the flow of the game.

“It’s extremely important to see people step up,” Staley said. “I thought Agot really showed what she can do on both sides of the basketball. She’s a really high-IQ player who is skilled.”

Raven Johnson scored the first basket of the game on a three-pointer from the corner. She finished with 10 points and three assists. Tessa Johnson only had five points on 1-5 shooting from three, but added six rebounds. 

Edwards added eight rebounds, three assists, and made two threes.

“You can’t really simulate a game in practice, no matter how hard you try,” Edwards said. “Just going out there and being free and playing.”

Adhel Tac had seven points and eight rebounds. South Carolina shot 53% from the floor, but was just 4-18 from three. South Carolina was plus-30 in points off turnovers and plus-18 in turnovers. 

Ciara Harris led Anderson with 10 points before fouling out. 

Notes:
Former Gamecocks Te-Hina Paopao and Allisha Gray sat on the baseline, joined by their Atlanta Dream teammate and former Kentucky star Rhyne Howard. … A’ja Wilson sat on the sideline near the Gamecock bench. She was serenaded with MVP chants when shown on the video board. … South Carolina outrebounded Anderson 61-28 and had 19 second-chance points. … Dawn Staley’s outfit: Staley wore a “Baby Dawn” hoodie for postgame. … South Carolina plays another exhibition against North Carolina in Atlanta on October 30.

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