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In a dominant performance, the No. 6 South Carolina women’s basketball team crushed Vanderbilt 82-54, powered by career games from MiLaysia Fulwiley and Joyce Edwards. The Gamecocks took control in the second half after leading by 10 points at halftime.

Fulwiley made an immediate impact when she entered the game midway through the first quarter. She contributed six points during an 8-0 run that gave South Carolina a double-digit lead. Despite shooting just 5-21 in the second quarter, Fulwiley’s explosive play helped the Gamecocks maintain their advantage. She finished the half with 15 of her career-high tying 24 points.

Coming out of the break, Khamil Pierre scored the first four points of the third quarter, before Dawn Staley brought Edwards in off the bench. Edwards responded with five straight points and 11 total during a decisive 16-1 run. South Carolina capitalized on defense, turning turnovers into fast breaks and scoring opportunities, with nine points in transition and six from free throws.

Edwards finished the game with a career-high 17 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. She dominated in multiple areas, showcasing her all-around game. The contest also featured two of the top candidates for SEC Freshman of the Year, Edwards and Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes. Blakes, who entered the game averaging 23.4 points, was held to just 19 on 5-15 shooting, along with seven rebounds and three turnovers. While the award isn’t decided by a single game, Edwards certainly won this matchup.

South Carolina shot an impressive 63% in the second half and finished at 46.2% overall, while Vanderbilt struggled, shooting just 30.4%. Te-Hina Paopao contributed 13 points, and the Gamecocks had a significant advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Commodores by 12. South Carolina turned 17 turnovers into 23 points, while Vanderbilt only scored three points off of 13 turnovers.

The Gamecocks had an off-night from beyond the arc, hitting just 5-19 from three, but still found success with 17-27 shooting from the free-throw line. As for the team’s depth, Maryam Dauda contributed three points and seven rebounds in 12 minutes, and Pierre added 14 points and 10 rebounds. All 12 players saw action, with every Gamecock scoring except for Sakima Walker.

Despite 45 fouls being called (23 on South Carolina and 22 on Vanderbilt), no players fouled out. The crowd of 7,805 at the arena witnessed the Gamecocks extend their lead to as much as 30 points in the fourth quarter.

South Carolina’s next challenge is at Ole Miss on Thursday.

In a dominant 82-54 victory, South Carolina overcame Vanderbilt in what was expected to be a challenging game. Here are the key takeaways from the contest.

– Memorial Gymnasium, known for its tricky layout and challenging sightlines, was made even more difficult by some controversial foul calls in the first half. These calls put the Gamecocks in foul trouble, while putting Vanderbilt in the bonus. It seemed like a perfect setup for South Carolina to struggle, but they powered through. Despite some poor shooting, they dominated the boards and turned defense into easy baskets. Players like Maryam Dauda made crucial contributions, ensuring the team stayed on track. Dauda followed her solid performance against Arkansas, with nine points and eight rebounds, by adding three points and seven rebounds in this game, filling in when Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin were sidelined due to foul trouble.

– On Sunday, South Carolina’s cohesiveness was evident. Their ball movement was particularly impressive, reflected in the 16 assists on 30 made baskets. But it wasn’t just the assists – it was also about small but significant plays, like tipping rebounds to teammates or directing loose balls to spots where teammates were ready to grab them. The Gamecocks likely would’ve had even more assists had they been able to hit their jumpers in the first half. Regardless, this performance is another sign that the team is focused and locked in, especially as we approach the postseason. This makes their less-than-stellar showings against Texas and UConn seem even more out of character.

– Dawn Staley often frustrates some fans with her refusal to make frequent lineup changes, but there’s a reason for her consistency. My argument is that constant changes can shake players’ confidence, and if A’ja Wilson could come off the bench, anyone can. However, Staley is not as rigid with her rotations as people think. As the season has progressed, she has begun inserting MiLaysia Fulwiley and Joyce Edwards into the game before the first media timeout, and she’s been more willing to go with the hot hand in the guard rotation. For example, Fulwiley played 13 minutes in the first half, while Raven Johnson only saw eight.

Then, in the third quarter on Sunday, Staley made a bold move. After Khamil Pierre opened the second half with two quick baskets, Staley subbed Edwards in for Sania Feagin within the first two minutes of the quarter. It was a quick substitution, but it paid off. Edwards scored 11 points during South Carolina’s decisive 16-1 run, showing just how effective that change was.

The Sevens 7v7 tournament in Atlanta recently showcased a wealth of talent, with strong recruiting interest from several prominent college football programs. Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Miami, Texas, and South Carolina have been particularly active in their recruitment efforts, focusing on top-tier prospects who participated in the event.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama continues to solidify its reputation as a recruiting powerhouse. The Crimson Tide have been actively pursuing several high-profile recruits, including four-star cornerback Jorden Edmonds. Edmonds has been a focal point of Alabama’s recruiting strategy, with the program aiming to secure his commitment.

Auburn Tigers

Auburn has also been making significant strides in its recruiting efforts. The Tigers are showing strong interest in four-star EDGE KJ Ford, who has expressed that Auburn stands out among his top schools. This indicates a promising development in Auburn’s defensive recruitment.

Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia’s recruiting efforts are noteworthy, with the Bulldogs making the cut for a top-five offensive tackle. This development highlights Georgia’s continued commitment to strengthening its offensive line and maintaining its competitive edge in the SEC.

Miami Hurricanes

Miami has been actively engaging with several top prospects. The Hurricanes are trending for four-star cornerback Jaelen Waters, a former Penn State commit, following a coaching change. This shift has opened the door for Miami to potentially secure Waters’ commitment, bolstering their defensive backfield.

Texas Longhorns

Texas has been making significant moves in the recruiting landscape. The Longhorns have secured commitments from five-star defensive back Kade Phillips and five-star defensive tackle Justus Terry, maintaining their position at the top of the recruiting class rankings.

South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina has been active in its recruiting efforts, with the Gamecocks making a strong push for four-star interior offensive lineman Micah Smith. Smith has set spring trips and an official visit, indicating a serious interest in the program.

The Sevens 7v7 tournament has proven to be a significant event for college football recruiting, with these programs intensifying their efforts to secure commitments from some of the nation’s top high school talent. As the recruiting cycle progresses, these developments will be crucial in shaping the future rosters of these esteemed programs.

Jamarii Thomas walked off the podium following his postgame interview and, full of emotion, shouted one word that summed up the feelings of everyone in this building: “HALLELUJAH!”

For the first time in nearly two months, the South Carolina Gamecocks have won a basketball game. After enduring a grueling 13-game losing streak, they came out victorious with an 84-69 win over Texas. This is their first win since December 30, 2024, and their first Southeastern Conference (SEC) win since March 9, 2024, when they defeated Mississippi State 93-89.

It’s been a tough road for South Carolina this season. Early in SEC play, they suffered a pair of blowout losses, but things weren’t always that bleak. Six of their defeats were by five points or fewer, leaving the players frustrated but determined. Collin Murray-Boyles put it perfectly after the game: “This is just well overdue. We put in a lot of work in practice. We’ve had some really close games this season. The feeling is just a sigh of relief that we could finally taste what it’s like to win in the SEC and hopefully keep it going for the rest of conference play.”

What’s been particularly excruciating about those losses has been how close the Gamecocks came, only to fall short. Whether it was missed free throws, turnovers, or inconsistent shooting, there always seemed to be something standing in their way. At times, it seemed like the players might give up. No one likes to lose, after all. But having a steady leader like Lamont Paris has kept the team grounded.

“He just keeps believing in us day in, day out,” Thomas said. “Sometimes, as you know, when you lose, guys lose confidence and things of that nature. But he instills it right back into us, and he just believes in us. So we just play hard for him.”

A month ago, after a heartbreaking overtime loss to Mississippi State, Coach Paris remained steadfast in his belief that the Gamecocks’ day was coming. And today, that day arrived. As Coach Paris explained after the game, this win was a result of everything coming together: “Feels good to see the guys be able to rejoice when they’ve been yearning to do this so many times. They’ve been on the doorstep so many times. So for them to continually have the energy, the effort, the belief that they have in anticipation of playing well and winning a game has been really impressive. And that’s what I’m proudest, or most proud of them for.”

Of course, one victory won’t erase the challenges of this season. South Carolina still sits at the bottom of the SEC standings with a 1-13 record. It’s been a disappointing year, especially after making the NCAA Tournament last season. But with four games left, this win offers a much-needed shift in perspective. The Gamecocks now see what it takes to win, and that’s the first step toward something bigger.

As always in college basketball, there’s still the hope of a magical run. The SEC Tournament is just around the corner, and while South Carolina will most likely enter as the No. 16 seed, it only takes one hot streak to make an incredible run. They’ll need to play five games in five days to win it all, but for now, the focus is on celebrating this win and regaining that feeling of victory.

“The relief is that now they can take everything at face value,” Paris said. “The whole world opened up again. They can listen to things differently that I say. They can process things differently now that they’re not consumed by that one thing. And so I think that’s where relief comes in is that you’re able to move forward and the last thing you remember is playing pretty well.”

For South Carolina, this victory is a sign of better things to come. The Gamecocks may have just found the key to turning their season around.

Carolina focuses on addressing the need at defensive tackle locally

Update on the Carolina Panthers’ offseason needs. There’s a long list of positions that the team will have to address—starting safeties, cornerback and linebacker depth, edge rusher, wide receiver, tight end, nose tackle, another running back, and more. However, one of the biggest priorities should be securing a legitimate starter to line up next to Derrick Brown on the defensive line.

In a recent seven-round 2025 NFL mock draft from Pro Football Network, the Panthers address their defense early, selecting edge rusher James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee with the eighth overall pick. Then, in the second round, Panthers GM Dan Morgan strengthens the interior by picking T.J. Sanders, a defensive tackle from South Carolina, at No. 58.

PFN’s Selection of T.J. Sanders for the Panthers

According to PFN, “If the Panthers come away with James Pearce Jr. and TJ Sanders, they’ll be primed for a massive defensive jump in 2025.” Sanders is a highly promising prospect—standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 300 pounds—who showed a lot of potential in college, with 9.5 sacks, 18 tackles for a loss, and six pass breakups in 39 games for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

T.J. Sanders highlights

The scouting report from Bleacher Report highlights Sanders’ explosive get-off, length, hand usage, and his violent approach at the point of attack. However, he does have some areas for improvement, particularly in his conditioning and lateral movement.

Currently, Sanders is often mocked in the second round, with a typical projection around the 55th overall pick. While it’s no guarantee he will still be available when the Panthers pick, it’s certainly a possibility worth considering.

More news……

Brady Hunt Rejoins Garnet Trust, confirming his return to South Carolina Football

In a significant development for South Carolina football, Brady Hunt, a 6-foot-5, 253-pound tight end, has signed a new NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deal with the Gamecocks’ official collective, The Garnet Trust, ensuring his return to the program for the upcoming season.

Hunt, who transferred to South Carolina from Ball State last offseason, was part of the Gamecocks’ three-man tight end rotation in 2024 alongside Joshua Simon and Michael Smith. He made valuable contributions during the season, recording two receptions for 22 yards, including a key first-down grab late in the victory over Missouri. Known for his versatility both as a blocker and a receiver, Hunt is expected to take on an even larger role next season, especially with Simon having exhausted his eligibility.

Before joining South Carolina, Hunt had an impressive 2022 season at Ball State, where he caught 46 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns. His strong performance at Ball State and subsequent transfer to the Gamecocks highlight his potential to become a key player in South Carolina’s offensive game plan.

This new NIL deal underscores the Gamecocks’ commitment to player retention, with The Garnet Trust playing a crucial role in securing such agreements. Retaining players like Hunt is essential for the program’s continued success, and head coach Shane Beamer has stressed the importance of building strong relationships and maintaining open communication to keep the team unified and motivated.

 

After South Carolina’s 6-3 victory over Milwaukee on Saturday, head coach Paul Mainieri addressed the media. Here’s a recap of his comments:

“Don’t get bored with winning,” Mainieri said, emphasizing the difficulty of securing victories. He reminded the players that after coaching over 2,300 games, winning is never easy, but today they executed what was needed to secure the win.

Reflecting on Matthew Becker’s performance, Mainieri noted, “He might have pitched better today than last week.” Becker was in full control, and the coach mentioned the only reason he took him out was due to his pitch count.

Mainieri also praised Jordan Carrion, calling him a “great teammate” and a “team player.” Carrion played a key role with his RBI single in the second inning and continued to contribute in the field. “What can you say about him?” Mainieri added with pride.

There was a slight mishap in the game when Dalton Mashore, an excellent right fielder, lost a routine fly ball in the sun, which became Milwaukee’s first hit. “It was unfortunate,” Mainieri said, acknowledging that the sun played a role. Despite that, Becker continued to pitch well.

Mainieri explained that “mostly, we wanted to give Carrion an opportunity” today, and while he’s unsure of future lineup decisions, he was pleased with Carrion’s full game experience.

Big contributions came from KJ Scobey and Carrion, who both had clutch hits in the second inning. Mainieri felt the team was close to blowing the game wide open during that rally but noted, “When the game is on the line, you want to go with the guys who give you the most confidence.”

Addressing Henry Kaczmar’s defensive progress, Mainieri shared how the coaching staff changed his approach, making him more aggressive. “Now he’s charging at the ball, and everything is sticking in the pocket of his glove. That’s the shortstop we recruited,” he said with satisfaction.

On the offensive side, Mainieri acknowledged that hitting is never perfect. “You’re never going to feel 100 percent satisfied.” He pointed out the team’s impressive hard-hit outs, especially by Talmadge LeCroy, who had the most hard-hit outs. Even with some cold air affecting their power, Mainieri expressed confidence in their approach to at-bats.

He also offered reassurance about LeCroy’s performance: “He’s a good hitter. The hits will fall for him. He’s a veteran guy.” Mainieri is not concerned about LeCroy and expects him to continue getting quality at-bats.

On the injury front, Mainieri shared that Eskew’s mild rhomboid strain wasn’t serious. “He played a little catch today, and it loosened up a bit. We’ll monitor it as the week goes on,” he said.

Wrapping up, Mainieri reflected on the team’s confidence, stating, “The guys are playing the game loose and having fun.” The atmosphere in the dugout has been positive, and the team is clearly enjoying their success.

South Carolina has had a grueling 54 days, marked by 13 consecutive losses and close calls with six of those defeats coming by five points or less. Saturday, however, offered a break in their painful streak as the Gamecocks finally found victory.

With an 84-69 triumph over Texas, the Gamecocks (11-16, 1-13 SEC) secured their first win since Dec. 30, 2024, when they beat Presbyterian, capping off non-conference play. It also marks their first SEC win since March 9, 2024, when they bested Mississippi State 93-89. More importantly, they avoided joining the ranks of teams like 2018-19 Vanderbilt and 2023-24 Missouri, who ended their seasons winless in SEC play.

How It Happened

Despite the struggles of the previous losses, South Carolina put together one of its best first halves of the season. The Gamecocks shot just 38.7% from the field but made up for it with a defensive performance that suffocated Texas offensively. The Longhorns could only manage 8-of-29 shooting (29.6%) in the first half, including a mere 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. South Carolina even went on an 8-0 run early, shutting out Texas for nearly five minutes.

Head coach Lamont Paris had been advocating for Collin Murray-Boyles to take on more of a scoring role, and the junior delivered. Murray-Boyles posted 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the first half alone, and added three blocked shots for good measure. He finished with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting. Jordan Butler also made his presence known with a block of his own.

The Gamecocks’ offense showed discipline, committing just two turnovers in the first half. They also took full advantage of free throw opportunities, shooting a remarkable 14-for-16. As the first half wound down, South Carolina capped a strong final stretch with an 8-0 run in the last 1:24, heading into halftime with a commanding 18-point lead. The 22 points allowed by the Gamecocks in the first half marked their lowest against an SEC opponent this season.

Despite the strong first half, there was still uncertainty over how the second half would unfold, given the time left on the clock. But South Carolina came out of the break firing, quickly extending their lead to 20 points. Texas couldn’t muster much of a comeback for several minutes, but with under six minutes remaining, they found some rhythm, making eight of their last 10 field goals and launching an 11-1 run that brought them within 12 points.

With South Carolina still holding a double-digit lead, Texas resorted to fouling, adding to the growing pile of fouls called on both teams. Still, it didn’t affect the Gamecocks’ momentum, and they held on for the victory.

Two Key Takeaways

1. Let CMB cook: Collin Murray-Boyles showed why he needed to take charge. While his unselfish nature had previously been evident, his performance Saturday, particularly in the first half, was exactly what the Gamecocks needed. He led the team with 22 points and 8 rebounds in just 27 minutes, becoming a dominant force for South Carolina.
2. Finally Got It Done: It’s been a tough stretch for the Gamecocks, but Saturday’s win, even if it’s their only one in SEC play this year, felt like a much-needed reward after the prolonged losing streak. It’s a well-earned sense of relief for both the players and coaches.

Key Stat

South Carolina’s 34-for-45 performance at the free throw line (75.6%) stood out as a crucial part of their victory. While they weren’t shooting at their best from the field, their aggressive play earned them multiple trips to the line, and their high free-throw percentage helped them maintain control of the game.

Turning Point

One of the game’s early defining moments came when South Carolina’s defense held Texas to just 22 points in the first half. That lockdown defense allowed them to build a 40-22 lead, and despite Texas’ late charge, the Gamecocks’ defense kept them comfortably ahead.

Up Next

South Carolina will travel to face No. 15 Missouri on Tuesday night. The game will tip off at 9 p.m. ET, airing on SEC Network.