Markeshia's Corner: After bounce-back blowout, Gamecocks look to stifle Vandy sensation Mikayla Blakes

🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀
South Carolina dominated across the board, with five players scoring in double figures, a commanding 57-28 edge on the boards, 27 assists, 8 steals, shot 44% from the 3, had an efficient 13-15 (86.7%) performance from the free-throw line, and ONLY had 8 turnovers. That’s what you call hitting reset—new focus, same goal, and a locked-in mindset.
Gamecock game highlights:
When South Carolina wins the rebounding battle (57-28), they win the game. When there’s a MiLaysia Sports Center Top 10 highlight, they win the game. When the South Carolina bigs dominate the boards and in the paint, they win the game. When the Gamecocks have 7 or more steals—they win the game. When South Carolina has 20 or more assists, they win the game. When we play together, lock in on defense, are intentional about rebounding, and we move the ball—that’s a win every time. It’s NOT rocket science! When we do what we’re supposed to do and handle business, they win the game. Simple.Â
Be in the know about all things Gamecocks for just $1 per week—lock in this special offer!
Standout Performances
Setting the Tone Inside
Chloe Kitts
Chloe made her presence felt early. She was very active around the glass on both ends of the floor. She had 10 points and 13 rebounds. Sania Feagin added 8 points.
Stuffing the Stat Sheet
Breezy HallÂ
Breezy made her impact felt all over the floor by contributing 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. She was instrumental in locking up Arkansas’ leading scorer, Izzy Higginbottom, holding her to just 10 points on 3-17 shooting—14 below her season average of 24 points. Raven and Paopao added 4 and 3 assists respectively.
Bench Production – Seatbelt Gang
The Gamecocks’ Seatbelt Gang stepped up huge, contributing 56 points off the bench—matching their third-highest total of the season (vs. Wofford), just behind the 64 they put up against Purdue and the 60 against Florida.
- Joyce Edwards – 18 points and 8 rebounds
- MiLaysia Fulwiley – 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and NO TURNOVERS!
- Tessa Johnson – 10 points, 6 assists (career high), and 2 steals
- Maryam Dauda – Maryam had her breakout game against her former team adding 9 points and 8 rebounds in 14 minutes of play.
SportsCenter Top 10 herself (MiLaysia Fulwiley)
Whether it’s a game-changing hustle play, a crafty finish around the rim, a selfless dime, or a clutch defensive takeaway (like ripping the opposing PG), these are the plays that fuel our success—especially when the Gamecocks need a boost.
- With about 22 seconds left before halftime, Coach Staley drew up a SLOB (sideline out-of-bounds) play for MiLaysia—Maddy threw the lob, and gliding through the air—MiLaysia finished it easy. “Nasty work” Coach Staley called it!
- MiLaysia went 1-on-2 in transition, hit her nasty signature behind-the-back move, and laid it up plus the foul. (She made the free throw)
- With the clock winding down, MiLaysia spun between two Arkansas defenders, lost her balance, and still dropped a smooth wraparound dime to Sania for the easy bucket.
- MiLaysia attacked in transition, split the two defenders with ease, and glided through the paint for a tough right-hand finish—plus the foul. (She made the free throw)
Up Next: South Carolina Gamecocks 24-3 (12-1) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores 19-8 (6-7)
Vanderbilt has dropped four of its last five SEC games and is eager to make a statement against the Gamecocks, aiming for a No. 5-8 seed in the SEC tournament to secure a first-round bye. Meanwhile, South Carolina is determined to extend its winning streak to solidify a double bye in the SEC tournament and potentially clinch a No. 1 seed at the end of SEC play.
Key matchups to watch:
Guard defense vs. Mikayla Blakes
- Freshman phenom Mikayla Blakes is Vanderbilt’s do-it-all leader, topping nearly every statistical category—averaging 23.4 points, 3.1 assists, 2.1 steals, an 88.5% free throw clip, and 3 turnovers per game. She is very ball-dominant, so the South Carolina guards are going to have to make her uncomfortable and be intentional about making her give the ball up. She never stops moving on offense, so the Gamecocks cannot relax on defense. Make her play on both sides of the ball—she is turnover-prone (3 TOs PG) and foul-prone (2.5 fouls PG). Stay aggressive and apply pressure.
Post Play vs. Khamil Pierre
- Pierre is Vanderbilt’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder, bringing skill and finesse to the floor. South Carolina will need to play her straight up—expect 2-3 moves in the paint and don’t let her establish deep post position. Keep high hands, stay disciplined, and box her out—she’s relentless on the boards.
Guard Advantages
- Guard depth will be key for the Gamecocks in this matchup, as Vanderbilt leans heavily on a small rotation of guards—primarily Mikayla Blakes, Iyana Moore, and Jordyn Oliver.
Post Advantages
- There are layers to the Gamecocks post presence, they have the depth, the athleticism, and the foot speed to make an impact on both ends. They’ll need to use their depth to keep Vandy on their heels—making it hard for the Commodores to defend.
Gamecocks Advantage
South Carolina’s depth, defensive intensity, rebounding ability, and speed give them the edge.
Stay on top of all things Gamecocks for just $1 per week—lock in this special offer today!
Keys to the Win
1. Keep the main thing, the main thing – Stay focused and control the pace of the game.   Â
2. Set the tone early – HIT FIRST. Especially on the road.
3. Lock in on defense – The Gamecocks’ stifling man-to-man defense holds teams more than 20+ points below their season average, so they will need to continue to lock into the scout.Â
Top 10
- 1New
Teeth on the floor
OU's Duke Miles loses multiple teeth
- 2
Gambling investigation
Fresno State under NCAA microscope
- 3
14-team playoff
2026 CFP could have different look
- 4
Nebraska AD
Explains canceling series vs. Vols
- 5Hot
Lincoln Riley
USC coach sits down with J.D. PicKell
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
4. Bench production – South Carolina’s Seatbelt Gang has been dominating, leading the nation in bench points per game. Their depth will be crucial in this matchup.
5. Win the rebounding battle – When the Gamecocks win the rebounding battle, they normally win the game. WIN THE PAINT!
6. Take care of the ball – Last time out the Gamecocks had 27 assists, so sharing the ball and ball movement will be key in this matchup.
7. Force turnovers – South Carolina forces approximately 17 TOs per game, while Vandy averages 14 TOs per game.
8. Convert at the free-throw line – Last time out, the Gamecocks shot 86.7% at the free-throw line, so they’ll need to keep that same focus going into the Vandy matchup.
9. Play hard, play smart, play disciplined, play and act like champions!
10. Have fun!
Let’s Go Gamecocks!
🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀