COLUMBIA, S.C. — Freshman Joyce Edwards had a standout performance, scoring a career-high 28 points to help the No. 4 South Carolina Gamecocks bounce back from their recent defeat against No. 3 Texas with an emphatic 101-63 victory over Florida on Thursday evening.
The Gamecocks improved their overall record to 23-2 and are now 11-1 in the Southeastern Conference after establishing an early lead, finishing the first quarter with a commanding 36-15 advantage. This win marks their 71st consecutive triumph on their home court and extends their winning streak against the Gators to 17 games, with Florida now standing at 12-13 and 3-8 in the conference.
Edwards eclipsed her previous personal best of 21 points, a record she set against Alabama in the prior month. This performance was particularly significant as she had only accumulated a total of 15 points in the Gamecocks’ last two games combined, showcasing her capacity as the squad’s leading scorer.
Te’Hina Paopao contributed significantly with 14 points, hitting four of South Carolina’s eight successful 3-pointers, along with seven rebounds and leading the team with seven assists—her best performance against an SEC opponent in two years. On the opposing side, Liv McGill managed to score 15 points for the Gators.
In terms of match dynamics, the timing for the Gators could not have been worse, facing a Gamecocks team eager to make amends after their narrow 66-62 loss to Texas. Florida struggled offensively, managing only 30.6% shooting in the initial two quarters while South Carolina capitalized on the opportunity.
This game served as a strong rehearsal for the Gamecocks as they prepare to clash with UConn on Sunday, an anticipated matchup between these two elite programs that has become a regular fixture in their seasons.
A pivotal moment came when Paopao delivered three successful 3-point shots in the first five minutes, propelling the Gamecocks to a 17-8 lead.
Statistically, South Carolina reached the 100-point mark for the second time this season, having previously defeated Oklahoma 101-60 on January 19.
Looking ahead, Florida will be back at home to face Mississippi State on Sunday, while South Carolina is set to host No. 7 UConn, concluding their non-conference schedule.
