Columbia, S.C. – The South Carolina Gamecocks continued their dominance over the Florida Gators with a commanding 101-63 victory, extending their all-time series lead to 24-20. Under head coach Dawn Staley, who took the helm in 2008-09, the Gamecocks have been especially dominant, boasting a 16-4 record, including a 16-game win streak over Florida.
In their previous encounter this season, the Gamecocks (23-1, 11-1 SEC) rolled to a decisive 89-66 victory in Gainesville, where they led by 17 points after the first quarter and shot an impressive 50% from the field, with five players finishing in double digits.
Thursday night’s game was more of the same. Florida won the opening tip, but the Gamecocks’ stingy defense quickly stifled their efforts. South Carolina’s defense, among the best in the country in terms of shot-blocking, proved too much for the Gators. After struggling to find their rhythm on offense, Florida was unable to capitalize on their early opportunities.
Junior Khloe Kitts played a pivotal role early on, grabbing two offensive rebounds, one of which resulted in a quick outlet pass to Te-Hina Paopao, who sank a three-pointer for the first points of the game. South Carolina wasted no time, quickly going on a 7-0 run to take control.
The Gamecocks, coming off a tough loss to No. 3 Texas, were eager to make a statement. Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao, a Naismith midseason watch list nominee, emphasized how important this game was for the team.
“It’s going to be scary for the next few teams,” she said, reflecting the team’s desire to make up for their setback against Texas. Florida, unfortunately, became the first victim of the Gamecocks’ rebound.
The first quarter ended with South Carolina holding a commanding 21-point lead. Their offensive efficiency was on full display, as they shot 60.9% from the field, 66.7% from beyond the arc, and a perfect 4-4 from the free-throw line.
The second quarter featured standout play from freshman Joyce Edwards, who showcased her scoring ability in the paint with two smooth post moves. By halftime, South Carolina had expanded their lead to 62-32, with nine different players on the score sheet. Edwards led the charge with 18 points, while Paopao chipped in 14, shooting a flawless 100% from the field, including 4-4 from three-point range.
In the second half, the Gamecocks continued to dominate. Holding a 30-point lead, head coach Dawn Staley was able to rotate in her full squad, allowing her team to showcase their depth. Despite several attempts, Florida (12-13, 3-8 SEC) had no answers for South Carolina’s high-powered offense, which handed them their largest loss of the season.
The 101-63 win marked South Carolina’s second time reaching the 100-point mark this season, following a 101-60 victory over Oklahoma on January 19. With every player who saw action scoring, the Gamecocks displayed the kind of balance that has made them a top contender in the SEC.
Edwards, who had struggled in South Carolina’s previous two games, surpassed her previous career-high of 21 points, set against Alabama. This performance came at a critical time as the Gamecocks looked for a confidence-building win following their loss to Texas.
Florida was led by the duo of freshman Liv McGill and senior Ra Shaya Kyle, who combined for 30 points, but it wasn’t nearly enough to keep pace with the Gamecocks’ offensive juggernaut.
Looking ahead, Florida will return home to face Mississippi State on Sunday, while South Carolina will host No. 7 UConn for their final non-conference matchup of the season.
