Skip to main content
South Carolina
Join Now

South Carolina women's basketball: The 3-2-1 - Clutch players, burning questions, and a favorite play following the exam break

On3 imageby: Chris Wellbaum2 hours agoChrisWellbaum

South Carolina only played one game last week due to the exam break. We look at the clutch players, burning questions, and a favorite play from the 95-55 win over Penn State.

Three Clutch Players

Ta’Niya Latson
vs Penn State: 35 minutes*, 18 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, block, 6 fouls drawn

The difference between the first half (South Carolina won 46-34) and the second half (South Carolina won 49-21) was Latson. She had trouble finding her shot against Penn State’s zone in the first half, so she stepped up her defense in the second half and got into transition. Her teammates fooled that lead, and a nervous game became a blowout.

Joyce Edwards
vs Penn State: 33 minutes* 29 points, 6 steals, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, 4 blocks, 5 fouls drawn

Edwards had career-highs in points and steals. Just as impressive was her defense on Penn State’s Gracie Merkle. Edwards was at a significant size disadvantage against Merkle, but she used her quickness and anticipation to help limit the nation’s 10th-leading scorer to just nine points.

Maddy McDaniel
vs Penn State: 21 minutes, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, steal, 2-3 3PT

South Carolina only had three bench players, so getting productive minutes out of McDaniel was huge. McDaniel missed time with a knee injury and then a suspension that put her behind the eight ball, but she’s rounding into form as a key contributor. 

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

Two Burning Questions

1. Will the Gamecocks ever be fully healthy?

They lost two players, Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts, before the season began, leaving them with only 10 players. Out of 11 games, they’ve only started four games with all 10, and only finished three games with all 10. Not only is it an obstacle to have to play short-handed, but it forces the available players to take on different roles to fill the holes. That hurts the development of the younger players.

2. How concerning are the missed free throws?

The foul line has been feast or famine for the Gamecocks. South Carolina has shot 75% or better in six of the 11 games, but under 70% in the other five games, including 58.3% against Southern Cal and 53.6% against Penn State. South Carolina also missed three straight free throws against Louisville that would have put the game out of reach. This isn’t a team of Ashley Bruners, they can make their free throws. But the misses seem to multiply, suggesting it’s in their collective heads.

🏀 GamecocksW newsletter: WBB coverage delivered straight to your inbox!

One Favorite Play

Defense. Run the floor. Great spacing. And a little extra flavor at the end. This is a textbook example of turning defense into offense.

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