South Carolina women's basketball: Rapid Reaction - Grand Canyon

South Carolina routed Grand Canyon 94-54 to open the season on Monday. Here are three things that stood out from the game.

– South Carolina struggled from three in both exhibitions, going 4-18 both times. There were extenuating circumstances both times. South Carolina only ran a couple of sets against Anderson, and the longer NBA three-point line on the court in Atlanta had players shooting longer threes than normal.

But the Gamecocks knew they had to get better, and Raven Johnson got things off to a good start with an early corner three. Grand Canyon tried to pack the defense into the paint and hope South Carolina missed threes, but it didn’t happen.

“The three-ball was flowing, and that’s the risk,” Winston Gandy said. “You’ve got to pick your poison.”

Raven Johnson went 3-5, and Tessa Johnson was 3-6 from three. Ta’Niya Latson, Maddy McDaniel, and Agot Makeer each added a basket from behind the arc.

– Latson was everything South Carolina hoped she would be. She scored 20 points on 7-10 shooting, including 1-2 from three and 5-8 from the line. She added four assists with just two turnovers and a steal. And she drew six fouls.

South Carolina ran plays for Latson to get long jumpers, mid-range jumpers, get to the rim, and even post up from the elbow. And she converted all of them. 

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During the game, some of us were trying to figure out who Latson’s best player comparison is. MiLaysia Fulwiley could get to the rim, but she didn’t shoot as well and didn’t draw fouls at the same rate. Zia Cooke could get downhill like Latson, but she liked to pull up for midrange shots (probably because Aliyah Boston was occupying space around the rim. 

I don’t think Staley has ever had a player as explosive yet under control and efficient.

– Dawn Staley made her first coaches’ challenge of the season with 6:06 left in the first half. Challenges are allowed for the first time this season. Staley challenged a play where Ta’Niya Latson was called for an offensive foul, setting a screen for Tessa Johnson on a three-pointer. 

The officials ruled that the foul came before the shot, wiping out Johnson’s basket. Staley challenged, contending that the shot was before the foul and should have counted. After review, the officials agreed. The foul stood (fouls can’t be challenged anyway), but South Carolina got three points.

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