Edwards scores a career-high 28 with 101-63 win over Florida
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Freshman Joyce Edwards scored a career-high 28 points as No. 4 South Carolina bounced back from its loss at No. 3 Texas last week with a 101-63 blowout of Florida on Thursday night.
The Gamecocks (23-2, 11-1 Southeastern Conference) pulled away early, up 36-15 after one quarter, and cruised to their 71st straight win at home and their 17th in a row over the Gators (12-13, 3-8).
Edwards surpassed her previous best of 21 points set against Alabama last month. It was a welcome performance by the team’s leading scorer, who had a combined 15 points in South Carolina’s previous two games.
Te’Hina Paopao finished with 14 points including four of the team’s eight 3-pointers. She also had seven rebounds and led the Gamecocks with seven assists, her best showing against an SEC opponent in two seasons in the league.
Liv McGill led Florida with 15 points.
Notables
- South Carolina’s 101-63 victory marked the second time this season the team has surpassed 100 points, and tied for the most points in a game this year (previously 101 vs. Oklahoma, 1/19/25).
- The Gamecocks’ 36 points in the first quarter marked the most in a quarter this season, and ties for the second-most in a quarter in program history.
- The 62 points at the half were the most in a half this season, and tied the program record for the most in a half against an SEC team (previously vs. Arkansas, 1/18/21).
- The Gamecocks were excellent at the charity stripe, going 21-for-22 (.955), the best mark this season.
- South Carolina’s depth was on display, with 11 of 12 Gamecocks who hit the floor scoring at least five points, and four Gamecocks finishing in double-figures. The bench nearly matched Florida’s game total, scoring 60 points to the Gators’ 63.
- Joyce Edwards led the way with a career-high 28 points, the most for a Gamecock this season. Her 28 points also marks the most ever for a freshman in program history against an SEC opponent.
- Te-Hina Paopao was hot beyond the arc, dropping a season-high four 3s after going a perfect 3-for-3 in the first quarter alone, adding 11 of her 14 points in just six minutes on the floor. Her seven assists also marked the second-most for a Gamecock this season, and a new SEC career-high.
- MiLaysia Fulwiley finished with 13 points for her 15th game in double-figures this season, the second-most on the team. Her five steals were a new season-high, and the second-most in a game this season.
- Sania Feagin posted 10 points for the eighth time this season, stuffing the book with five boards, two assists, a team-high two blocks and a steal.
- Sakima Walker saw a new SEC career-high five points, converting a three-point play in the fourth quarter to extend South Carolina’s lead to over 30.
