Gamecocks Score Staley-Era Record 121 Points vs Queens

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Joyce Edwards scored 25 points and Ta’Niya Latson 24 to lead No. 2 South Carolina to its most points in coach Dawn Staley’s 18 seasons with a 121-49 romp over Queens on Sunday.

Madina Okot had 14 points and 12 rebounds while reserve Adele Tac had 11 points and 10 boards as the Gamecocks started 6-0 for the fourth time in the five seasons.s

South Carolina expects bigger tests this week at the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas. They’ll open Wednesday against Duke, a Top 25 team when the year began, and then either No. 3 UCLA or No. 4 Texas. The Bruins defeated the Gamecocks in their only meeting last season while Texas went 1-3 vs. South Carolina, splitting the season series before losing in the Southeastern Conference title game and the Final Four.

South Carolina, known for its stifling defense, has showcased a push-the-pace offensive attack so far this year. Latson, the Florida State transfer who led the country in scoring a year ago, has been out front and running with the 6-3 Edwards and the 6-6 Okot alongside ready for passes down low to put back any misses.

The Gamecocks came in averaging just under 90 points a game and have had sizeable leads by halftime in four of thier first five victories.

This one was no different. After Queens (3-3) tied things at 5-all, South Carolina outscored the Atlantic Sun Conference school 24-0 the rest of the quarter.

Brenae Jones-Grant led the Royals with 10 points.

Gamecock Notables 

• The Gamecocks had a monster opening quarter on both sides of the ball, finishing on a 24-0 run after finding themselves tied 5-5 and holding Queens to just 1-of-15 shooting (.067)

• South Carolina’s 121 points marked the most in the Dawn Staley era, and the third-most in program history. The Gamecocks’ 43 made field goals tied the second-most in a game under Staley.

• The Gamecocks shot 66.2 percent from the field on 43-for-65 shooting for their highest field goal percentage this season.

• The 121-49 win is the third-largest margin of victory (72) in the Dawn Staley era.

• South Carolina went on an 18-0 run to bring things to 86-27 in the third quarter, followed by its third 18+ point run of the game (23-4) to close out the fourth.

• All 10 Gamecocks got on the board, with six finishing with double-digit points. All five starters reached double digits for the fourth time this season.

• Joyce Edwards surpassed her season-high with 25 points in 25 minutes, the most of any Gamecock this season. It was her third game this season with 20+ points.

• Adhel Tac recorded her first career double-double with a career-high 11 points and 10 boards, scoring seven of her points in just as many minutes in the fourth quarter.

• Madina Okot earned her fourth double-double of the season, bringing in 14 points with 12 rebounds.

• Latson posted 24 points for her third 20-point game of the season, tying her season-high highlighted by a perfect 7-for-7 from the floor and 2-for-2 beyond the arc through the third quarter.