The No. 2 South Carolina women’s basketball team advances to 4-0 in conference play following a 67-50 win against the No. 5 Texas Longhorns on Sunday, extending its home winning streak to 67 straight games.
"With our team, they seem to really focus in, when there is a number beside our opponent," head coach Dawn Staley said. "They practice a little better, they're more focused, they talk less. They knew the intangibles of this game would play a huge role in us winning."
In the opening quarter, the Gamecocks jumped out to a 18-9 lead, with fifth-year guard Te-Hina Paopao leading the team with 6 points, following a three-pointer and one layup.
But the Longhorns were able to stay in the game due to its ability to control the glass, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds in the quarter. The team was unable to capitalize on second chance opportunities, shooting just 4-26 to start the contest.
The Gamecocks heated up in the second quarter, shooting 76.9% from the field. Paopao continued to find the bottom of the net, connecting on another three-pointer and layup to help push the Gamecock lead out to 39-22. She shot 100% from the field in the opening half and finished the game with 11 points.
Even though South Carolina’s shooting percentage leveled off in the second half, the team maintained a double-digit cushion over Texas for the remainder of the game.
Freshman forward Joyce Edwards helped the Gamecocks keep the Longhorns at bay, scoring 5 points in the second half and 10 for the game. Edwards leads the team in points per game with 11.3. But, following the game, Staley praised the young star for her effort in the defensive end.
“Joyce is unafraid, Joyce is relentless.” Staley said. “Joyce has the unfortunate position of having to guard some really bigs and she doesn't shy away from that, she embraces the physicality of it.”
The SEC’s finest
The Gamecocks have won 51 consecutive games in the SEC following Sunday's win, a record that extends back to the SEC championship game in 2022 against Kentucky.
South Carolina has beat teams by an average of 29 points in four games so far in conference play.
The Gamecocks are one game into a five game stretch of its conference schedule against five teams ranked in the AP Top 25.
Defense dominants
Texas came into the game averaging 90.4 points per game, the fourth highest among division one teams. South Carolina was able to hold the Longhorns to a season low 50 points and 27.7% from the floor. This season, the Gamecocks have held teams to just 54.9 points per game.
Despite missing junior forward Ashlyn Watkins, who will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL, the interior defense was dominant. Senior forward Sania Feagin posted a career high six blocked shots along with 8 points.
Sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley also contributed heavily on the defensive end with three steals as well as 8 points.
"Our guards played defense really well, we always tell them 'We have their back, if you need help we have your help,'" Feagin said.
Winning by committee
Much like last season, South Carolina has several players that contribute heavily in the scoring column. This year, the Gamecocks have five players averaging over 9 points or higher compared to last year's team that had six players.
Staley said this team shares traits of other teams in South Carolina's history, which helps lead to strong on-the-court results.
"I think they're a product of who we are, that's what we've been," Staley said. "I think they, like other teams that we've had, have had really good chemistry and success, they like each other, they wanna play for each other."
Two of the team's leading scorers, Fulwiley and Edwards, have both come off the bench, helping South Carolina rank first in bench points.
What's next?
South Carolina will take on No. 18 Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. The game will tip off at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on SECN+.