Gamecocks Ready for Home Opener Thursday

COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 1/1 South Carolina makes its 2024-25 Colonial Life Arena debut on Thu., Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. against Coppin State.

FAN INFORMATION

• Single-game parking in lots immediate around Colonial Life Arena will be $20 per car as mandated by the University.
• Doors will open at 6 p.m. (5:30 p.m. for Fast Break Pass holders)
• Giveaway – 2024 National Championship banner ornament
• Dawn’s Day Care in the McGuire Club

Gamecock Notables

• Finally hosting its home opener tonight, South Carolina will celebrate last season’s undefeated effort by unveiling its 2024 National Championship banner in a ceremony to begin with 10 minutes remaining on the pregame clock.

• The Gamecocks extended their win streak to 40 games with Sunday’s win over #9/8 NC State, making South Carolina just the second program in NCAA history with multiple 40-game win streaks. Only six programs have posted win streaks of at least 40 games in NCAA history.

• South Carolina continues to thrive through its depth. With 12 Gamecocks seeing the court this season so far, nine average at least 16.0 minutes per game. Six Gamecocks average at least 6.0 points, and four have pulled down at least 6.0 rebounds per game. Five players have scored in double figures in a game this season.

• Preseason All-SEC First-Team selection Te-Hina Paopao had her offensive range on display Sunday, posting her Gamecock career-high 23 points against #9/8 NC State with eight of those points coming in the paint, nine from beyond the arc and another six in the midrange.

• Sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley also thrived in the bright lights of the Gamecock’s first game against a ranked opponent, shooting 57.1 percent from the field en route to 18 points on Sunday against #9/8 NC State, including nine in the second quarter to lead the Gamecocks to nine-point halftime advantage.

• The Gamecocks crashed the glass against #9/8 NC State on Sunday, out-rebounding the Wolfpack 40-25. Forwards led the way with a combined 13 rebounds from starters Sania Feagin (8) and Joyce Edwards (5) to go with six from Ashlyn Watkins off the bench. But, it was guard Raven Johnson who paced the team with nine boards. She ranks 19th in the SEC this season with 8.0 rebounds per game.

• Freshman Joyce Edwards is among the most outwardly competitive Gamecocks, according to Staley, with her fearless pursuit of the ball on defense and on the glass. She is 10th in the SEC with 3.0 steals per game to go along with her 6.0 rebounds per game.

By the Numbers
27.5 – The Gamecock bench has scored 27.5 points per game this season, compared to 14.0 points per game by opponents’ benches.

55.8 – South Carolina shot 55.8 percent from the field over the final three quarters of its win over #9/8 NC State on Sunday.

59 – South Carolina has been ranked #1 in 59 of the last 60 AP Polls.

The Coppin State Series
The Gamecocks and Eagles have never met in women’s basketball. South Carolina has played five other MEAC schools with South Carolina State being the program’s most frequent opponent in that league. The Gamecocks are  30-9 against current MEAC programs.

Home Openers
Since 1976-77, the first season comprehensive site records are available, South Carolina is 39-9 in home openers. Since the opening of Colonial Life Arena for the 2002-03 season, the Gamecocks are 20-2. In the Dawn Staley era (beginning 2008-09), the program is 14-2 in home openers, including wins in the last 13.

Today’s game ties for the latest home opener of the Dawn Staley era, matching the 2021-22 and 2009-10 seasons that also made their home debut in the third game of the season.

The Full-wiley
The generational talent that is sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley wow-ed fans last season with her creativity and athleticism. This season, the extremely coachable guard is learning the art of steadying her play in between her “wow” moments.

Fulwiley earned SEC All-Freshman honors last season and was the SEC Tournament MVP after a phenomenal title game that saw her net a career-high 24 points against #8/5 LSU. She finished the season second on the team in scoring at 11.7 points per game on 43.8 percent shooting.

In this season’s first game against a ranked opponent, Fulwiley lit up #9/8 NC State (Nov. 10) for 18 points on 8-of-14 shooting.