No. 3 Gamecocks close out 2025 home slate with a 95–55 rout, fueled by Joyce Edwards’ career night.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Colonial Life Arena crowd didn’t just watch a win on Sunday; they witnessed a statement. In their final home game before the holidays, Dawn Staley’s No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks overwhelmed Penn State 95–55, improving to 10–1 and proving once again why they remain one of the nation’s most dominant programs.
🔑 Turning Point: The Third Quarter
The first half was competitive, with Penn State’s zone defense slowing South Carolina’s rhythm. At halftime, USC led 46–34, but the Lady Lions had kept the game within reach.
Then came the avalanche. South Carolina opened the third quarter with nine straight points in transition, igniting the crowd. By the end of the frame, the Gamecocks had outscored Penn State 29–9, fueled by 19 fast-break points and eight forced turnovers.
“We wanted to push the tempo and stop thinking so much,” head coach Dawn Staley said. “Once we got running, the game broke open.”
🌟 Edwards Emerges as a Star
Freshman forward Joyce Edwards delivered a career-high 29 points, along with six steals, five assists, four blocks, and four rebounds. She also took on the defensive challenge of guarding Penn State’s 6’6” Gracie Merkle, using her speed to deny passes and disrupt the offense.
“Coach told me to trust my speed,” Edwards said. “Once I did, everything clicked.”
Fans responded with chants of her name as she checked out late in the fourth quarter, cementing her breakout moment.
🤝 Supporting Cast Delivers
Ta’Niya Latson added 18 points, eight assists, and six rebounds, most of it in the second half. Four Gamecocks finished in double figures, underscoring the team’s depth despite roster challenges.
“We’re missing pieces, but that just means we lean harder on each other,” Latson said. “That’s what makes us dangerous.”
📉 Short-Handed but Unshaken
South Carolina played with only eight active players. Starter Madina Okot and reserve Agot Makeer warmed up but were ruled out minutes before tipoff, while Chloe Kitts remains sidelined for the season.
Despite the absences, the Gamecocks leaned on their core rotation and still overwhelmed Penn State with pace and pressure.
🎄 What’s Next
The Gamecocks now head to Florida for a two-game road trip against mid-major opponents before returning home December 28 to face Providence.
For Staley, the win was more than just another tally in the record book.
“We’re building resilience,” she said. “Every challenge, every absence, every adjustment — it’s preparing us for March.”
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