Gamecocks Roll in Early Outdoor Exhibition
CHARLESTON, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball unofficially opened its 2026-27 season at TheLinkU Invitational with a 91-60 exhibition win over College of Charleton at Credit One Stadium in Charleston. Playing the third game of the event’s tripleheader, the Gamecocks battled the setting sun over the outdoor stadium and scattered shadows until the lights took over.
The Gamecocks weathered an early storm from the Cougars, who used solid shooting and offensive rebounding to take a 20-19 lead at the end of the first quarter. South Carolina settled in in the second, opening the quarter with an 11-2 run with ball movement that saw four players score in the surge. Down the stretch to halftime, veterans Tessa Johnson and Joyce Edwards took over as the Gamecocks took a 44-28 lead into the locker room behind 10-of-12 shooting (.833) in the second quarter.
The Cougars continued to battle in the second half, but the South Carolina was too much for them to overcome. Eight of the nine Gamecocks who took the court scored at least two points.
Edwards led the way with 28 points to go with 16 rebounds, including eight offensive, two blocks and two assists. Johnson poured in 23 points on 9-of-16 (.563) from the field while adding six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jordan Lee led the newcomers in scoring, hitting all four of her 3-pointers en route to 15 points. She and Agot Makeer tied Johnson for the team lead in assists with three each with Makeer adding 12 points, including a pair of 3s. Oliviyah Edwards led the freshmen with five points and five boards, four offensive, in the game.
South Carolina has one more exhibition game, hosting Benedict on Fri., Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena. The Gamecocks will open the regular season on Mon., Nov. 2, against Maryland at Oui Play in Paris.
Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on the women’s basketball season.
