COLUMBIA, S.C. — Coach Dawn Staley of South Carolina remains composed, despite some fans expressing concern following the Gamecocks’ first loss in the last two seasons. While the team has only suffered two defeats in their past 87 games, Staley acknowledges the perplexing worries she’s encountered since their impressive 43-game winning streak came to a halt with a 77-62 loss to UCLA last Sunday.
Staley reassured everyone that the team’s situation is not dire. On Wednesday, just before the Gamecocks (5-1) dropped from the No. 1 ranking to No. 4, she expressed confidence as they prepared to face No. 15 Iowa State (5-1) at the Fort Myers Tip-off in Florida on Thursday. Staley reflected on her team’s lack of experience with losing, noting that her squads have only lost four times over the past four seasons, which included national championships in both 2022 and the previous season.
“Handling defeat comes with grace and learning,” Staley commented, hopeful that they can address the weaknesses revealed by their loss. The Gamecocks have been experiencing difficulties with slow starts this season, and this was evident in their game against UCLA. They converted only nine out of 34 attempts in the first half, falling behind by 21 points, a deficit they couldn’t overcome.
A significant factor in their struggles is the absence of last year’s leading scorer and rebounder, Kamilla Cardoso. The 6-foot-7 center, who provided a reliable scoring option down low, has left a gap that the team has yet to fill. Staley noted that the squad has not yet achieved the same comfort in the post this season, and their outside shooting was unable to compensate for it against the Bruins.
Staley was surprised by the external reactions following their defeat, particularly regarding the limited playing time of guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, who had less than three minutes on the court and scored no points after averaging 12.8 points per game in her prior five outings. When asked about potential changes to the lineup, Staley firmly dismissed the idea. Fulwiley, who was the Southeastern Conference Tournament MVP last year, remains in good spirits.
“MiLaysia is a generational talent,” Staley remarked, acknowledging that every player faces challenges at times. Following a quiet cross-country flight back home, Fulwiley and her teammates returned to practice with a renewed focus. Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina’s top scorer with an average of 14.2 points per game, emphasized the importance of keeping perspective, stating, “It was an early loss. The world isn’t going to end. We’re still here.”
The Gamecocks face a tough schedule ahead, with four ranked opponents in their first ten games, beginning with the Cyclones, who are led by Audi Crooks, a center averaging 21.7 points per game, placing her among the top 15 scorers nationwide. Staley stressed the need to prevent Crooks from gaining easy shots inside, suggesting that forcing her to work for her attempts could play in South Carolina’s favor.
It has been nearly four years since the Gamecocks lost back-to-back games, with their last occurrence being in 2019 against Mississippi State and Arkansas. The last time they lost consecutive non-conference games was in November 2010, against Penn State, Stanford, and UC Davis.
Staley had a message for those concerned about the team’s performance: remain calm. The season is lengthy, and South Carolina possesses a wealth of talent that is still coming together. “We’re going to continue to guide this team toward where it needs to be,” she asserted as she enters her 17th season with the Gamecocks. “It’s unfortunate that our schedule is challenging, making it tough for everyone. But this situation is our choice, and it will only enhance our development.”