In the past seven games against SEC opponents, South Carolina women's basketball senior forward Sania Feagin has put up a multitude of different offensive and defensive stats helping to extend the team's winning streak.
Head coach Dawn Staley said that while the team has had talented post players during Feagin's time with the Gamecocks, she is one of the most talented post players the team has and is stepping up at the right time.
“It’s been a buildup for her," Staley said. "Feagin is now starting to just impose her will and showcase her talent."
Dawn said that while she feels the team isn't using Feagin to the best of her ability, she is still making impacts on both sides of the ball.
"I know we're probably not...utilizing all of her skill set, but you're seeing it," Staley said. "She understands what we need. She’s a communicator out there on the floor. She’s a unifier on the floor."
Stats from this season
From the start of the season, Feagin has found herself to be one of five starters for all 22 games for the Gamecocks. However, this wasn't always the case, as Feagin only started three games during her junior year, and zero for both her sophomore and freshmen seasons.
So far this season, Feagin has averaged 7.3 points per game versus her 6.7 points per game from her junior season. She also averages 4.4 rebounds per game this season, while only averaging 3.8 last season.
She's grabbed 96 rebounds total, with 62 of them being on the defensive side and has had 33 blocks on the season as well.
Even with junior forward Ashlyn Watkins going down with a torn ACL during the win over Mississippi State, Feagin said the forwards will continue to play how they've been playing all season.
Feagin's performances
During a news conference on Jan. 8, Feagin said she is looking to continue to play dominant and play like herself for the next upcoming games. The Gamecocks had seven upcoming SEC conference games, with five of them being against ranked opponents over the next two weeks.
"Just going out there, being Sania," Feagin said. "Playing the game I've been playing for the couple last games."
During the Jan. 9 home game against the Texas A&M Aggies, Feagin shot 5-6 from the field, also making her first 3-pointer of the season, helping cap off an opening 8-0 run in the fourth quarter.
Just a few days later, Feagin set a new career-high of six blocks against the then-No. 5 Texas Longhorns on Jan. 12. She also had nine rebounds, further showcasing her defensive dominance that game.
“Our guards play defense really well," Feagin said. "We always tell them we that have their backs ... so just being there, helping our teammates ... giving them confidence to be able to D up really hard."
Feagin then went on to become a threat on both offense and defense on Jan. 19 against the then-No. 19 Alabama Crimson Tide. She scored 8 points, grabbed eight rebounds and had two steals.
Just three days later, Feagin only saw 17 minutes against the then-No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners, but she managed to score 12 points, making it her sixth game in double digits.
She also recorded seven boards and three blocks during the Gamecocks' 101 to 60 win, making this match its highest point total and the largest margin of victory against an opponent.
“I feel like you start with defense," Feagin said. "When you get your defense going, then your offense end(s) up coming to you as well."
Sophomore guard Milaysia Fulwiley said the team is not paying attention to its four game win streak against SEC opponents, but rather the execution of its game and gameplays as the season progresses.
“(We’re focusing on) what we practice the week prior to the game and just motivating each other to be better,” Fulwiley said. “You want to win of course, but we’re focusing on doing the right things ... the little things that’s going to help us succeed and help us win.”
Despite the game delay due to weather conditions against the then-No. 5 LSU Tigers, Feagin put up her seventh double-figure game of the season, scoring 12 points. Feagin also had three blocks, two steals and recorded seven rebounds and shot 4-6 from the free throw line.
“This is what her best effort looks like on a consistent basis. And you see her. She played 36 minutes," Staley said. We couldn’t afford to keep her off the floor very long."
During the post-game press conference after the win over LSU, Staley said Feagin's offensive game is coming at the right time for the team as a whole.
“We need points in the paint," Staley said. "We need Bigs that are able to face up and sweep and drive on people ... and it's been a buildup for her, so I’m really happy.”
Staley said that while Feagin could have left the program and played for another team, she didn’t because of her loyalty and "stick-to-itiveness."
“I could have given her time, smoothed it over, but no. I mean, she can take what we were dishing out and that was 'No, you’re not going to settle,'” Staley said. “She just stuck with it and ... I think she’s going to put herself in a real good position to play at the next level.”
What's next?
Sania Feagin and the Gamecocks will travel to Athens, Georgia to take on the Bulldogs on Thursday. Tipoff will be at 6 p.m. and broadcasted on SEC+ network.