South Carolina Dominates Vanderbilt in 103-74 Victory

COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a decisive performance that ended No. 5 Vanderbilt’s unbeaten start to the season, No. 2 South Carolina secured a 103-74 victory on Sunday. Ta’Niya Latson led the way with 21 points, while Tessa Johnson added 20, showcasing the Gamecocks’ dominance against the Commodores.

Vanderbilt had been riding a school-record 20-game winning streak this season, but they found no answers for South Carolina, which has now won 19 straight games against their SEC rivals. The loss marked a significant setback for the Commodores, who were looking to maintain their perfect record.

“I was surprised at how bad our defense was,” said Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph. “We looked like we were a little bit stunned. I had hoped that we were more prepared and we would do things a little bit differently, but we didn’t. We didn’t operate the way I know my team can operate.”

With the Commodores’ loss, only No. 1 UConn remains undefeated in Division I women’s basketball. South Carolina’s 29-point win was the largest against an Associated Press top-five opponent since the women’s poll began in the 1976-77 season.

The Gamecocks (20-2, 6-1 SEC) came into the game following a 94-82 overtime loss at No. 16 Oklahoma. However, they quickly turned their focus toward the Commodores, starting strong and maintaining control throughout the match.

“I’m really impressed that we played connected basketball on both ends,” said South Carolina coach Dawn Staley. “I’m happy we responded to our loss. [Our players] know what the standard is, and we’ve got to keep them in a place where they play to that standard every night.”

Johnson added, “We don’t like to lose, but it was more how we lost. We were not ourselves at Oklahoma. We got back on our game today.”

Latson, who struggled with six points on 1-of-10 shooting against Oklahoma, bounced back with a strong performance, scoring 8 of 15 from the field.

“She’s a competitor,” Staley said. “She only wants to see herself play and perform at the highest level. When she’s anything but that, she makes adjustments. Her shots were falling today, she got to the rim, and she defended. You could see her take her intensity and ability to lock into another level.”

South Carolina started the game with an 11-2 run and gradually built a 21-point lead in the second quarter. Their defense was instrumental in the victory, forcing 16 first-half turnovers against a Vanderbilt team that averages 12.5 per game this season.

“Credit to South Carolina because they played really well, maybe the best they’ve played all season,” Ralph said. “There just wasn’t an answer today. For us, there’s a lot we can take from it, but it also doesn’t negate the fact that we’ve been really good up to this point.”

Despite the loss, Vanderbilt managed to cut the lead to 11 at halftime. SEC leading scorer Mikayla Blakes finished with 23 points, and after a failed court-length pass by South Carolina, Aubrey Galvan hit a three-pointer as time expired to make it 55-44 at the break.

In the third quarter, Vanderbilt made a push, scoring two straight baskets to bring the score to 55-48. However, South Carolina responded with a 15-2 run to take control for good.

Madina Okot contributed 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals, while Joyce Edwards added 16 points. This gave South Carolina five double-digit scorers against a team that had held opponents to an average of 58 points this season.

Okot, who struggled against Oklahoma with six points, came off the bench for the first time this season. Coach Staley clarified that it was not a punishment but a strategic move to ease the pressure on the senior from Kenya, who is in her second year playing college basketball in the U.S. after spending last season at Mississippi State.

This victory marks South Carolina’s second SEC win against a top-five opponent in the past four contests, following their 68-65 win over fourth-ranked Texas on January 15.

Key Performances and Strategic Adjustments

• Ta’Niya Latson showcased a strong rebound from her previous game, contributing 21 points with efficient shooting.
• Tessa Johnson added 20 points, emphasizing the team’s overall strength and depth.
• Madina Okot delivered a standout performance, recording 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 steals.
• Joyce Edwards chipped in with 16 points, further highlighting the team’s balanced scoring.

South Carolina’s coaching staff made strategic adjustments that paid off, particularly in managing player roles and ensuring consistent performance. The team’s resilience and ability to adapt under pressure were evident throughout the game.

With this win, South Carolina continues to solidify its position as a dominant force in the SEC, setting the stage for future challenges against other top-ranked teams.