South Carolina women's basketball: Short-handed Gamecocks rout NC Central

Ta’Niya Latson and Joyce Edwards each topped 20 points to lead short-handed South Carolina to a 106-42 win over NC Central.

If there were ever a game that encapsulated early Sunday guarantee games in December, this was it.

For the second game in a row, top reserve Agot Makeer was in concussion protocol and not available. Then starter Tessa Johnson, who is averaging 13.1 points and shooting 48.8% from three, was a Sunday morning scratch due to an illness. That left South Carolina with just eight players. 

Madina Okot got sick near the end of the first half and didn’t play in the second half. That left South Carolina with just seven players.

“It’s going around,” Dawn Staley said, shrugging.

The Gamecocks also got a scare when Raven Johnson banged into one of the courtside seats chasing a loose ball and crumpled to the court, grabbing her knee. Johnson got up after a few moments and stayed in the game.

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Fortunately for the Gamecocks, the Eagles don’t have the talent to take advantage of the short bench. 

NC Central started off well and led 7-4 midway through the first quarter. Then South Carolina started forcing turnovers and getting into transition. Edwards scored eight points during a 22-7 run to end the quarter.

In the second quarter, South Carolina got Okot involved, and she had six points and five rebounds before sitting down for good. Okot’s double-double streak was snapped, and she finished with 10 points and nine rebounds in 11 minutes.

South Carolina led comfortably at halftime, 46-25, but hadn’t played well by any measure. The third quarter was much more focused.

“We’ve got our own little islands. We’ve got to be able to play together,” Staley said. “Everybody started to just play for each other rather than self. I don’t think we have a selfish group. They’re just wired differently in that they like to call their own number.”

The Gamecocks began the third quarter on a 26-0 run and outscored the Eagles 28-2. NC Central managed just 2 points on 1-16 shooting with 9 turnovers in the third quarter.

“It was the game plan to get in the gaps and get steals,” Latson said. “

With no bench to turn to, South Carolina kept its foot on the gas in the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks scored 32 points on 9-15 shooting and went 4-5 from three.

Latson finished with her Gamecock career-high 32 points. She shot 11-18 overall and 56 from three with four rebounds.

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Edwards had her second double-double of the season with 25 points and 10 rebounds. She also tied her career-high with six assists and three blocks. However, Edwards also committed seven turnovers.

Freshman Ayla McDowell played a career-high 27 minutes and scored a career-high 16 points. She hit 5-7 from three.

“It felt good,” McDowell said. “I’ve been working on my three-ball a lot, and I’m just trying to work on being ready when my time comes.”

Adhel Tac got her first career start in place of Tessa Johnson. Tac finished with two points and three rebounds in 22 minutes.

Maddy McDaniel had season highs with eight points, all on free throws, three assists, and two steals in 24 minutes. Maryam Dauda had six points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in 18 minutes.

Tierney Coleman led NC Central with 14 points.

Notes:

Agot Makeer and Tessa Johnson were not on the bench for the game. … The Eagles committed 36 turnovers. South Carolina’s record book doesn’t go past the top five most turnovers in a game, and fifth place is 38. … South Carolina had 42 points off turnovers. … South Carolina shot 51% and made a season-high 11 threes in 21 attempts. The Gamecocks went 27-34 from the free throw line. … NC Central shot 30%. …  Dawn Staley’s outfit: Staley wore a black Givenchy hoodie. … Announced attendance was 15,677. … South Carolina is off for exam week until Sunday, December 14, when it hosts Penn State.

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