South Carolina WBB Opens Exhibition Season With 91-60 Win Over Charleston

The South Carolina women’s basketball outdoor exhibition win over Charleston gave Dawn Staley an early look at what her revamped Gamecocks can become — and plenty of reminders about what still needs fixing.

South Carolina opened its exhibition season Sunday with a 91-60 victory over College of Charleston at Credit One Stadium on Daniel Island. Under an open Charleston sky, the Gamecocks showed flashes of the size, scoring and experience that could make them dangerous, but Staley left the court with one glaring concern: rebounding.

Joyce Edwards was the engine.

The sophomore forward erupted for 28 points and 16 rebounds, repeatedly finding space around the basket and creating problems for Charleston’s defense. Tessa Johnson added 23 points, giving South Carolina two proven scorers who looked comfortable carrying the offense.

“I thought we saw some things we liked to see and things we didn’t like to see,” Staley said. “But these types of games early in the season, it will expose you to some things and some things you can correct.”

That correction starts on the glass.

South Carolina won the rebound battle — but not convincingly

The Gamecocks finished with a 41-35 advantage in total rebounds, but Charleston controlled the offensive glass, 25-16.

For Staley, that was difficult to overlook.

An exhibition game is designed to reveal weaknesses before the games begin to count, and South Carolina’s inability to consistently finish possessions was one of the clearest warning signs.

The Cougars repeatedly found second chances, extending possessions that should have ended with a South Carolina defensive rebound.

For a team with championship ambitions, those extra opportunities can become costly against tougher opponents.

Edwards and Johnson looked like veterans

Staley opened with Johnson, Edwards, Agot Makeer, Texas transfer Jordan Lee and Adhel Tac.

Four of those starters finished in double figures, but Edwards and Johnson were the ones who immediately looked like players ready to shoulder veteran responsibilities.

Johnson and Makeer shared point-guard duties, while South Carolina frequently moved the offense through Edwards near the top of the floor.

That was one of the more intriguing wrinkles of the afternoon.

Rather than simply parking Edwards near the basket, the Gamecocks used her as a facilitator and offensive hub. The approach allowed her to see the floor and make decisions with the ball in her hands.

Staley also acknowledged that she deliberately kept the offense relatively simple.

Because the exhibition was broadcast, the coach did not want to give upcoming opponents a detailed blueprint of South Carolina’s offensive system.

“We got to get her in positions where she puts the ball on the floor so that she can be as aggressive,” Staley said of Lee. “Sometimes, she is getting in there too deep trying to pass the basketball. We want her to score the basketball.”

That aggressive mindset could become important as the season develops.

Newcomer Jordan Lee makes an immediate impression

Lee, a transfer from Texas, started in the backcourt and quickly showed why Staley valued her during the transfer-portal process.

She scored 15 points and was perfect from 3-point range, knocking down all four of her attempts.

The shots came with confidence, and Edwards noticed.

“She shot the mess out of the ball,” Edwards said.

Lee also showed some bite defensively and attacked the game rather than simply waiting for opportunities. Staley liked what she saw but challenged her to take another step.

The coach wants Lee putting the ball on the floor more often and looking to score rather than searching for a pass once she gets into the lane.

Freshmen and transfers get valuable minutes

South Carolina entered the season with seven newcomers, including freshmen and transfers, and four saw action Sunday.

Freshman Oliviyah Edwards was the first Gamecock off the bench and eventually started the second half. Michigan transfer Brooke Daniels-Quarles followed as the next player into the game.

France’s Justine Loubens also received significant minutes.

The 6-foot-2 guard scored only two points, but her role became more interesting because Staley used her in unfamiliar situations. Loubens spent time playing in the post despite normally operating around the perimeter.

“She never played in the post for us and never had to defend it,” Staley said. “But she took on the challenge.”

Staley called the unusual combinations “funky” lineups, a product of South Carolina entering the exhibition without several regular contributors.

For Loubens, the experience was another test of how quickly she can adapt.

“She is very smart,” Staley said. “She sat the whole first quarter and got out there and performed well.”

Kitts and Watkins remain sidelined

Two of South Carolina’s biggest names never left the bench.

Chloe Kitts and Ashlyn Watkins were held out as they continue their recoveries from knee injuries.

Kitts suffered an ACL tear nearly a year ago and has continued to progress through rehabilitation. She was not wearing a brace during warmups Sunday, another visible indication of her recovery.

Watkins tore her ACL in January 2025 and missed last season before returning to the team in May.

The Gamecocks were also without sophomore Alicia Tournebize, who is dealing with a finger injury, as well as Kaeli Wynn and Jerzy Robinson, both of whom are recovering from knee injuries.

Ayla McDowell did play but left in the first half after taking a hit to the mouth.

An unusual setting for an exhibition

The game itself was unlike a typical South Carolina basketball exhibition.

Credit One Stadium, better known for hosting professional tennis, became an outdoor basketball venue for the LinkU Invitational. The South Carolina-Charleston matchup was one of three basketball games staged there Sunday.

Earlier, Vanderbilt played Virginia in a men’s matchup, followed by College of Charleston facing The Citadel.

The unusual setting created a festival-like atmosphere around the court, with recognizable basketball figures and celebrities also in attendance. Comedian Nate Bargatze, a noted Vanderbilt fan, watched the Commodores, while former Kansas and North Carolina coach Roy Williams was also on hand.

For South Carolina, however, the afternoon was ultimately about something more practical.

The scoreboard showed a comfortable 31-point victory. The film will show Staley a team with explosive scoring, intriguing newcomers and significant depth still waiting to return.

It will also show a team that needs to clean up its work on the boards.

South Carolina’s next exhibition is scheduled for Oct. 23 against Benedict, giving the Gamecocks several weeks to work on those details and potentially welcome more players back to the floor.

For now, the South Carolina women’s basketball outdoor exhibition win over Charleston offered an encouraging first glimpse — and a useful early-season checklist for Staley and her players.