South Carolina women's basketball star Joyce Edwards makes Gamecock history in Penn State win

On Sunday, a shorthanded South Carolina women’s basketball squad whipped up on Penn State, 95-55. Leading the way for the lopsided home victory was sophomore forward Joyce Edwards. She registered 29 points, six steals, five assists, four rebounds, and four blocked shots. She also shot 65% from the field, made her only attempt from the perimeter, and committed zero turnovers.

Edwards’ effort made some Gamecock history on Sunday afternoon.

According to research from ESPN, the All-American hopeful is the first Gamecock to put up at least 25 points, five assists, and five steals in one game in 22 years. During the 2003-2004 season, Kelly Morrone did so against Mercer. Edwards is the first USC forward to accomplish the feat in the modern stat era.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball! 🏀 

Edwards’ big performance came with the Gamecocks not having starting center Madina Okot available. Adhel Tac got the start at the 5-spot, and Maryam Dauda secured some minutes there, too. However, Edwards played more minutes at center than usual without Okot, along with her usual forward position.

Adding to her exceptional effort in the box score, Edwards had a good day in ways that don’t count as stats.

Sure, Edwards racked up steals and blocks, but her defense fronting and denying All-BIG Ten center Gracie Merkle was strong. Her presence in and around the basket altered even more than the four shots she rejected.

Offensively, she was efficient, but she scored effortlessly all day. She got out and ran in transition, she broke down the Penn State defense in the half court, she scored on set plays, and she scored on second-chance opportunities. Edwards put the ball in the basket when she was open, and she found the bottom of the net when she was covered. When the Nittany Lions double-teamed her, she found open teammates and could have finished with even more than five assists had some additional shots fallen.

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South Carolina expects to get Okot back soon, according to head coach Dawn Staley. Though having another dominant post player back in the fold will be a good thing for the team, Staley shared after the Penn State win that she doesn’t know if having Okot back will affect Edwards much.

“You know, Joyce is gonna play that way with Madina, without Madina, with anybody,” she said. “If it’s a game with a ball that’s being played, she’s gonna play to the best of her ability.”

Despite it being Christmas break, Carolina will not have an extended rest before Edwards has a chance to prove her coach correct.

The Gamecocks will take the floor again on Thursday. However, USC will be on the road in Tampa taking on the South Florida Bulls at 7:00 p.m. ESPN2 will broadcast the non-conference matchup, and the ESPN app will make it available via streaming.

NEW! Message board for South Carolina Women’s Basketball! 🏀