South Carolina women's basketball: Rapid Reaction - Clemson

South Carolina ran its rivalry winning streak to 15 with a 65-37 win over Clemson on Tuesday night. Here’s what stood out from the game.

– It was good for South Carolina to be challenged before heading west to face Southern Cal. The first two games were a little too easy. 

Southern Cal already has one tough game under its belt, the 69-68 win over then-no. 9 NC State last Sunday. The Trojans had to gut out a come-from-behind win and learned a lot about their new team. 

Clemson isn’t as good as NC State, but the Tigers did a good job of taking away the things the Gamecocks like to do. South Carolina faced some adversity for the first time this season and overcame it. It’s a good thing to have that to learn from before Saturday.

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

– The strangest thing about South Carolina’s mid-game offensive struggles, especially in the third quarter, was that the Gamecocks didn’t try to force-feed Ta’Niya Latson. She only took eight shots in the game, and just one in the ugly third quarter.

The Gamecocks brought Latson in to help manufacture points when things aren’t clicking. That’s exactly what they needed on Tuesday, but they didn’t utilize her. That, or Latson deferred too much and was passive and didn’t force the issue.

That needs to change going forward.

– Agot Makeer’s fantastic start to her career continues. She had six points and four rebounds, but she played with a confidence and composure beyond her years. 

Clemson apparently didn’t realize Makeer is a shooter and backed off from her several times. She went 2-3 from three, including the clutch three at the start of the fourth that sparked the dominant fourth quarter. 

Makeer played 19 minutes, the most of any bench player. It’s clear she has Dawn Staley’s trust.

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