Columbia, S.C. – Women’s SEC basketball intensifies as the South Carolina Gamecocks continue their quest for conference dominance. Their latest challenge comes against a determined Texas A&M squad eager to make its mark. Despite losing standout forward Ashlyn Watkins to a season-ending injury against Mississippi State, the Gamecocks showed no signs of slowing down.
The Aggies, facing their first significant road test since November 10th against West Virginia, arrived in Columbia on a high note after defeating the No. 25-ranked Ole Miss Rebels. Texas A&M opened the game with energy, spearheaded by redshirt senior Achia Coulibaly, who scored the team’s first six points. However, South Carolina quickly responded, fueled by strong performances from Joyce Edwards, Tahina Paopao, and Chloe Kitts, who helped secure an early lead.
Coming out of a timeout, South Carolina’s defensive intensity ramped up, with MiLaysia Fulwiley forcing a crucial turnover. The Gamecocks maintained relentless defensive pressure throughout the first quarter, ending with a commanding 25-10 lead. Freshman Joyce Edwards led all scorers with eight points in the opening period.
“We wanted to get off to a quicker start, and we did,” said South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley. “For the most part, we held our ground. Everyone who stepped on the court made an impact, regardless of their time on the floor.”
A decisive 15-2 run led by Edwards solidified the Gamecocks’ control, allowing Staley to experiment with lineups for the remainder of the game.
South Carolina cruised to a dominant 90-49 victory over Texas A&M, improving their record to 15-1 overall and 3-0 in SEC play. The Gamecocks now hold a 13-4 all-time record against the Aggies and have claimed 13 of the last 14 meetings.
In the absence of Watkins, South Carolina’s interior players rose to the occasion, combining for 42 points and 21 rebounds. Junior forward Maryam Dauda capitalized on extended minutes, contributing a basket, a rebound, and a block in nine minutes of action. “We don’t need to play like Ash,” Dauda explained. “Everyone just needs to do their job and step up.”
Sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley delivered an all-around stellar performance, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. On the opposing side, sophomore guard Sole Williams led the Aggies with 10 points.
Up next for South Carolina is a highly anticipated matchup against No. 5 Texas in Columbia, a game that promises to further test the Gamecocks’ SEC dominance.
