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
Dawn Staley's Impact on Southern: A Hug and a Perfume COLUMBIA — Competitiveness and respect often go hand in hand, as demonstrated by the Southern and South Carolina women’s basketball teams during their NCAA Tournament matchup. The No. 1 seed Gamecocks (31-3) will face the No. 16 seed Jaguars (20-13) on March 21, but the encounter was marked by mutual admiration rather than rivalry. Southern, an HBCU located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, had already secured a First Four victory against Samford on March 19, and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley took the opportunity to connect with both teams during her visit to Columbia. Staley, a three-time NCAA Tournament champion and a staple of March Madness since 2012, made an impression on Southern players with a gesture that went beyond the basketball court. After meeting with the Jaguars, she noticed that several Southern players had commented on her distinctive scent. To honor their praise, Staley gifted the entire team samples of her signature Louis Vuitton perfume. Southern guard Jocelyn Tate recalled the moment, noting that the room seemed to fill with Staley’s fragrance. “As soon as she got in the room, I want to say the whole room smelled like Dawn,” Tate said. “All of my teammates just kind of noticed that so we told her.” The players’ enthusiasm for Staley’s presence extended beyond the perfume. Southern guard D’Shantae Edwards shared how she found herself hugging Staley repeatedly, drawn to her scent and the warmth of the interaction. “I was hugging her so much,” Edwards said. “I just kept smelling it. I kept going back for more hugs, too. I was like wow, she smells really good.” Staley’s influence on Southern extended beyond the game.#south_carolina #dawn_staley #louis_vuitton #southern #hbcu
