Gamecocks Feast in Friday Exhibition Game

COLUMBIA, SC – No. 1/1 South Carolina women’s basketball celebrated its first game at Colonial Life Arena with a 113-34 win over Benedict in an exhibition game Friday night. Three Gamecocks scored in double figures, and three hit double digit rebounds.

The Gamecocks took the first quarter to get their offense together, shooting just 36.0 percent in the period, but held the Lady Tigers to just four points and forced nine turnovers in the opening 10 minutes. Senior Tessa Johnson steadied the offense in the stretch with six points on 2-of-3 shooting from 3-point range.

South Carolina’s offense improved with each passing quarter, shooting 52.0 percent in the second, 58.3 in the third and 54.2 in the fourth.

Johnson and freshman Jerzy Robinson led the offense with 17 points each, while junior Joyce Edwards netted 15 on 6-of-8 shooting. Robinson finished her night with a double-double as she paced the Gamecocks on the glass with 11, adding five assists and two steals in the outing. Fifth-year forward Ashlyn Watkins grabbed 10 rebounds as did sophomore Alicia Tournebize.

The top-ranked Gamecocks will officially open their 2026-27 season on Mon., Nov. 2, against No. 20/17 Maryland at Oui-Play in Paris. Tipoff is set for noon ET on ESPN. South Carolina opens the season with three top-20 opponents in their first four outings, all on the road or at neutral sites.