Okot, Edwards pace No. 3 South Carolina over No. 25 Alabama Ex

Associated Press,

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Joyce Edwards had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Madina Okot scored 16 points and pulled in 16 rebounds, and No. 3 South Carolina beat No. 25 Alabama 76-57 on Thursday night.

South Carolina (26-2, 12-1 Southeastern Conference) opened the game on a 12-2 run and never relinquished the lead. The Gamecocks’ defense set the tone early, forcing five turnovers in the first quarter and holding Alabama to just 3-of-15 shooting from the floor.

Okot and Edwards were dominant inside — South Carolina outrebounded Alabama 39-31, including 12 offensive rebounds which led to 18 second-chance points and a 44-20 advantage in points in the paint.

Alabama (20-7, 6-7) was led by Ta’Mia Scott with 14 points Ace Austin with nine. The Crimson Tide outscored South Carolina in the second and third quarters, but the 21-8 deficit at the end of the first quarter proved too much to overcome.

Scott’s layup brought Alabama within 57-50 as the third-quarter clock expired, but that was as close as the margin would get. South Carolina outscored Alabama 19-7 in the fourth quarter, allowing just two made field goals in the period.

Alabama’s 57 points ties its lowest point total in SEC play this season, matching the 57 it scored against South Carolina on Jan. 1. The Crimson Tide have dropped four of their last five games, while South Carolina won its seventh in row.

 

Gamecock Notables 

  • The Gamecock defense came out strong in the first quarter, holding Alabama to eight points, tying its season low.
  • Nine of 10 Gamecocks who hit the floor scored, with two netting double-doubles.
    Joyce Edwards grabbed her 10th career double-double, finishing with a career-high tying 12 boards in addition to her 23 points to lead the offense for the 17th time this season.
  • Madina Okot added a double-double of her own, scoring 13 of her 16 points in the first half to go along with 16 rebounds. Her two made 3s and four blocks, each marking career-highs.
  • Maddy McDaniel had a strong night returning to the Gamecock lineup from injury, scoring a career-high tying 10 points while handing out a team-high four assists.
  • Ta’Niya Latson had her 18th game this season in double-figure scoring, adding 10 points to an SEC career-high four steals.
Categories: Local Sports, South Carolina Sports, Sports, USC Gamecocks

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