COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The top-seeded Gamecocks had their way against the 16-seeded Southern University Jaguars, 103-34, in their first NCAA tournament appearance this year.
This was the first time the Gamecocks had returned to the hardwood since their loss earlier this month to fellow top-seed Texas in the championship game of the SEC tournament, giving them extra motivation to come out swinging against their first-round opponent.
South Carolina started the game off with energy, taking it to Southern with a 15-0 run.
Ta’niya Latson and Joyce Edwards helped fuel the quick start for the Gamecocks, scoring 5 and 6 points, respectively, in a fast-paced quarter.
Latson was all over the court offensively, finishing with 17 points and dishing out a team-high 6 assists along the way to lead the team for the eighth time this season.
While Southern settled in a little with 6 quick points, the Gamecocks finished with several quick buckets to bring the score to 19-6 at the end of the first quarter.
It was more of the same in the second. The Gamecocks dominated the Jaguars with 26 fast-break points and 52% shooting.
Joyce Edwards dominated, scoring 19 points in the first half on 8-9 shooting to lead the Gamecocks in scoring. The star sophomore finished the game with 27 points, which marks her career high so far in the NCAA Tournament.
The Gamecocks continued to dominate offensively in the first half, leading the Southern Jaguars 44-19 into the break..
The third quarter began similarly to the first. South Carolina opened up the second half with a 17-0 run. Madina Okot took over in the period, scoring seven of her 15 points during the early run.
The Gamecocks had a well-balanced third due to four players scoring over 5 points. South Carolina scored 32 points in the period while shooting a blistering 62% from the field and 43% from three.
The balance in scoring was a key factor throughout the game. All nine available Gamecocks scored in the contest, including five players finishing in double figures.
Southern only scored two points in the period, both coming from free throws. The Jaguars failed to make a basket in the quarter as well, with the two points coming from free throws.
The Gamecocks held Southern to 13 points while scoring 27 of their own, cruising to a 103-34 victory in the first round.
The 103-34 win is now the largest margin of victory for South Carolina in an NCAA Tournament game, and the seventh largest in NCAA tournament history. The previous record was made in last year’s tournament game against Tennessee Tech, where the Gamecocks won by 60 points.
South Carolina will play the winner of the Clemson/USC game set to take place in Columbia at 3:30 p.m.
The second-round game between the two winners will be at Colonial Life Arena on Monday, March 23.
If the team makes it past the second round, they will head to Sacramento for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight rounds. The Final Four will take place in Phoenix.
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Gamecocks cruise by Southern 103-34 in first round of NCAA Tournament
