South Carolina women's basketball: The 3-2-1 - Clutch players, burning questions, and one favorite play
Last week, South Carolina women’s basketball downed two more ranked opponents to set up a home date with LSU. We look at the three clutch players, two burning questions, and a favorite play from last week.
Three Clutch Players
1. Joyce Edwards
Vs Alabama: 23 minutes, 21 points, 6 rebounds
Vs Oklahoma: 23 minutes, 17 points, 4 rebounds
Edwards has been South Carolina’s leading scorer in three of the last four games. She was clutch against Alabama, scoring 11 of her career-high 21 points in the fourth quarter. Edwards continues to get better at scoring on post-ups, but her key to success is getting easy points by running the floor in transition or getting to the foul line, where she is shooting 80.3%.
2. MiLaysia Fulwiley
Vs Alabama: 21 minutes, 16 points, 4 rebounds
Vs Oklahoma: 23 minutes, 15 points, 7 assists, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
I firmly believe that what makes Fulwiley great is her defense (story coming on Wednesday), and she is locked in on that end of the court. When she plays defense, it not only slows down the other team but also creates lots of easy baskets for Fulwiley and her teammates. Fulwiley and Edwards have been the Gamecocks’ best players since SEC play began.
3. Sania Feagin
Vs Alabama: 26 minutes, 8 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Vs Oklahoma: 17 minutes, 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks
Feagin continues to be huge since Ashlyn Watkins was lost with a torn ACL. She can’t do what Watkins does, and it’s a sign of Feagin’s maturity that she isn’t trying to. She plays her role and understands what South Carolina needs. She played Raegan Beers to a virtual draw through three quarters on Sunday (Beers got hot in the fourth, while Feagin only played a couple of minutes). That’s a win for South Carolina.
WIN TICKETS: Kim Mulkey and undefeated LSU are coming to Columbia on Thursday
Two Burning Questions
1. No, really, can they keep this up?
I asked this last week, wondering if the Gamecocks can maintain the way they have rallied around the loss of Watkins. I still do. We saw Beers go for 23 points, taking advantage of Watkins’ absence. But we also saw that it didn’t matter because the Gamecocks shut down everyone else (and scored 101 points). I can’t tell if that is a sign of a big or small margin for error.
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2. Is Maryam Dauda ready to contribute?
Dauda had moments against Oklahoma. She hit a smooth three and added a couple of free throws. Dauda also picked up four fouls, although if you are a glass half-full person, you’ll point out that two weren’t really her fault. Staley said after the game that she decided to try to force Dauda into being a contributor, rather than Adhel Tac or Sakima Walker.
“I think Maryam gives us something different than the two of them – her ability to shoot from the outside,” Staley said. “She consistently boxes out and she’s unafraid defensively.”
WIN TICKETS: The Auburn Tigers are coming to Columbia to upset Gamecocks WBB
One Favorite Play
I tried to pick a play that didn’t involve Fulwiley. I really did. It feels too obvious. But this one was too good. The block, the staredown, Joyce throwing her hand up like a wide receiver, and Tessa Johnson hitting her in stride for the layup. Chef’s kiss.
