South Carolina dominates Southern in NCAA tournament opener with historic margin No. 1 seed South Carolina delivered a crushing 103-34 victory over 16th-seeded Southern in its NCAA tournament opener, marking the Gamecocks’ 17th consecutive home win in the women’s tournament. Joyce Edwards led the charge with 27 points and eight rebounds, showcasing her dominance as the team surged to a 15-0 start and never allowed Southern to mount a threat. The Gamecocks, ranked third in the nation, extended their Colonial Life Arena dominance to 83-1 over the past five seasons, while Southern, the Southwestern Athletic Conference champions, struggled to contain the high-powered attack. Edwards’ performance was a masterclass in efficiency, hitting 11 of 14 field goals and dominating the paint. Her ability to create space for teammates was evident in a highlight-reel play in the second half, where Ta’Niya Latson forced a turnover near midcourt, flipped the ball behind her back to Edwards, and the freshman converted an easy layup as the crowd erupted. “We missed being here. We hadn’t been here in a while,” said coach Dawn Staley, emphasizing the team’s focus on playing with joy and intensity. The Gamecocks’ dominance was immediate, opening the game with a 15-0 run and building a 25-point lead by halftime. South Carolina outscored Southern 32-2 in the third quarter, cementing its control. Edwards acknowledged the team’s initial rust after a two-week layoff following the Southeastern Conference tournament, but the squad quickly adjusted, hitting key shots and executing plays with precision. “As a team, we got together and started hitting shots,” Edwards said, highlighting the team’s resilience.#south_carolina #dawn_staley #southwestern_athletic_conference #joyce_edwards #ta_niya_latson
South Carolina delivered one of the most lopsided victories in women’s NCAA tournament history with a 103-34 first-round win over No. 16 Southern. The Gamecocks’ performance shattered their own record for the largest margin of victory in NCAA tournament history, joining an elite group of six games with a greater point differential. The game, played on Saturday, marked a dominant display of skill and execution, with South Carolina extending its lead in the third quarter to 55 points after outscoring Southern 32-2. Joyce Edwards led the charge with 27 points, shooting 90% from the field and missing just three attempts. Every one of the nine players who suited up for South Carolina contributed at least one point and played 14 minutes or more, showcasing the team’s depth and cohesion. The Gamecocks built a 25-point halftime advantage, which they expanded dramatically in the third quarter. Southern struggled to contain the Gamecocks’ offense, with the Jaguars converting just 1 of 15 shots in the quarter and missing eight attempts in the paint. This victory marked South Carolina’s second-largest margin in NCAA tournament history, following their 108-48 win over No. 16 Tennessee Tech in the 2025 first round. The Gamecocks also set a record in 2022 with a 79-21 win over Howard. However, their latest performance surpassed both, cementing their place in tournament lore. The game’s staggering 69-point gap remains the largest in South Carolina’s NCAA tournament history, though it falls short of the all-time record. The biggest blowout in women’s NCAA tournament history occurred nine years ago when Baylor defeated Texas Southern 119-30, a 89-point margin. That game surpassed the previous record set by UConn’s 140-52 victory over Saint Francis (PA) in 2018.#south_carolina #ncaa_tournament #southern #joyce_edwards #gamecocks
