Latson, Edwards lead No. 3 South Carolina to 93-50 win over No. 19 Tennessee

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Ta’Niya Latson scored 21 points, Joyce Edwards added 20 and No. 3 South Carolina ran past No. 19 Tennessee 93-50 on Sunday for its ninth straight victory over the Lady Vols.

The Gamecocks (24-2, 10-1 SEC) pulled away midway through the second quarter and never let up after that, finishing with a single-game program SEC shooting mark of 69 percent (36-52).

Tennessee has struggled, like most other SEC teams, against South Carolina the past few years, although the Lady Vols’ previous three games — all Gamecock wins — were decided by single digits.

And the Lady Vols matched the Gamecocks’ energy early on as things were tied at 16 last in the first quarter. That’s when South Carolina took control with a 9-2 run as Latson had five points and Edwards four.

Tennessee faltered again right before half, missing six of its final seven shots. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks were on fire, hitting six of their last eight to lead 47-32 at the break.

Things only got worse the rest of the way as the Lady Vols were outscored 46-18. Tennessee was held 28 points below its season average. The 43-point defeat was the worst in program history, surpassing a 31-point loss to Texas in 1984.

Madina Okot had 10 points and 15 rebounds, her 15th double-double this season for South Carolina.

Talaysia Cooper, who began her college career with the Gamecocks, led Tennessee with 17 points.

Gamecock Notables

• The 93-50 victory marked the largest margin of defeat in history for the Lady Vols (43), and the largest margin of victory for South Carolina against a ranked opponent in program history (prev. 41 vs Oklahoma, 1/19/25).  

• Seven of the eight Gamecocks who hit the floor scored, with five finishing in double figures, and two netting 20+. 

• South Carolina’s win was the ninth consecutive victory over Tennessee and the 15th in the Dawn Staley era.  

• The team reached a new program high for field goal percentage in an SEC game, finishing 69.2 percent from the field (36-for-52).  

• South Carolina’s defense was strong, holding the Lady Vols to just nine points in the third quarter and only 18 total in the second half. It also marked the second consecutive game South Carolina has held its opponent to under 30 percent shooting from the floor.  

• Ta’Niya Latson had a triumphant return from injury, leading the team with 21 points to tie her personal best in SEC play, knocking down six in a 17-3 run in the third quarter that put the Gamecocks up by over 30, and grabbing a team-high four steals.  

• Joyce Edwards finished with 20 points for the 20th time in her career (15th this season), shooting 70.0 percent from the floor (7-for-10), all while dishing out four assists and grabbing two steals. 

• Tessa Johnson had a perfect shooting night, scoring 24 points off 4-for-4 shooting from the floor (including two 3s), and made all four of her free throws.

• Madina Okot grabbed her 15th double-double of the season, netting 10 points while grabbing a team-high 15 boards to lead for the 19th time this season on the glass 

• Raven Johnson came out with intensity, finishing with 10 points for her 18th game this season with 10+, in addition to a team-high seven assists.

• Alicia Tournebize also had a perfect game, finishing 3-for-3, including a new career-high of two made 3s.