Women's Basketball . June 12, 2024

Gamecocks to Host Duke in 2024 SEC-ACC Challenge

Season Ticket Info

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball will host border rival Duke on Thu., Dec. 5, as part of the 2024 SEC-ACC Challenge. It marks the second season the Gamecocks will face a Tobacco Road opponent in the event after topping North Carolina in Chapel Hill last fall.

The SEC-ACC Challenge is in its second season, replacing the two conferences’ previous challenges with the Big 12 and Big Ten, respectively, across both men’s and women’s basketball.

Head coach Dawn Staley returns nine letterwinners from her undefeated 2024 National Championship team for the 2024-25 season, including three All-SEC selections in the NCAA’s top 3-point percentage shooter in senior guard Te-Hina Paopao, junior point guard Raven Johnson and junior forward Ashlyn Watkins, along with second leading scorer MiLaysia Fulwiley. Starters Bree Hall and Chloe Kitts are back as well, joined by NCAA Final Four All-Tournament selection Tessa Johnson and forwards Sania Feagin and Sakima Walker. The veteran group welcomes junior transfer Maryam Dauda and the Nos. 3 and 14 signees in the Class of 2025 in Joyce Edwards and Madisen McDaniel, and Class of 2025 early enrollee Adhel Tac is expected to be ready to take the floor this season as well.

The Gamecocks became the 10th team in NCAA history to complete an undefeated National Championship season in 2023-24, adding the program’s eighth SEC Regular-Season Championship and eighth SEC Tournament title as well. South Carolina led the nation in scoring defense, scoring margin and blocked shots per game, setting program records for scoring average, scoring margin, field goals made, 3-point field goals made, defensive rebounds and assists.

Duke went to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season with its 22-12 record slotting them at No. 17 in the final Associated Press Poll and No. 21 in the final USA Today Coaches’ Poll. The Blue Devils return their top four scorers and top two rebounders from last season’s team. Leading scorer Reigan Richardson was an All-ACC Second-Team selection behind her 12.4 points per game on 43.8 percent shooting, and guard Oluchi Okananwa was the ACC’s Sixth Player of the Year behind her 9.7 points and team-high 6.1 rebounds per game. Duke led the ACC in scoring defense and blocks per game

The Dec. 5th game will be the Blue Devils’ first trip to Colonial Life Arena since Dec. 19, 2019, when the Gamecocks posted an 89-46 victory. South Carolina leads the all-time series 7-2, including wins in the last four meetings. Both of Duke’s win came in Durham with the most recent being a 74-63 upset of then-No 3 South Carolina on Dec. 4, 2016. The Gamecocks most recently topped the Blue Devils 77-61 in Cameron Indoor Stadium on Dec. 3, 2023.

This marks the fourth game of the Gamecocks’ 2024-25 season to be announced. South Carolina will open the season in the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas, Nev., against Michigan on Mon., Nov. 4. The Gamecocks will face fellow NCAA Final Four participant NC State in Charlotte, N.C., on Sun., Nov. 10. UCLA announced its home game against South Carolina is set for Sun., Nov. 24.

For information on South Carolina Women’s Basketball 2024-25 season tickets, visit https://thegamecockclub.com/wbb/.

Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on South Carolina women’s basketball.