Prediction for South Carolina Women’s Basketball, Dawn Staley vs. Ole Miss in Final Road Game of Regular Season

South Carolina Set to Face Ole Miss in Final Road Game of Regular Season

Good evening, fans! We’re gearing up for a thrilling matchup as the No. 6 South Carolina Gamecocks (25-3, 13-1 SEC) hit the road for their final regular-season away game against Ole Miss (18-8, 9-5) Thursday at 9 p.m. ET in The Pavilion. The Rebels are riding high after a 68-66 win over Missouri this past Sunday, and they’ll be looking to keep that momentum going.

South Carolina is tied with Texas for first place in the SEC standings, while Ole Miss sits at fifth. Under Coach Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks have had incredible success against Ole Miss, with a dominant 19-game win streak. Staley’s record against the Rebels at Columbia is impressive, with just two losses, leading the all-time series 31-17.

Here’s what you need to know as the Gamecocks aim to extend their dominance.

South Carolina Eyes To Halt Ole Miss’ Success

The Rebels have proven they can compete with the best this season, suffering close losses to No. 13 Oklahoma (by 10) and No. 1 Texas (by just three points). But they’ve also secured notable wins against No. 14 Kentucky, No. 20 Alabama, and No. 23 Vanderbilt.

Under the leadership of Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin, Ole Miss has made three straight NCAA Tournaments, and last season, the Rebels set a school record with 12 SEC wins. As of Tuesday’s NCAA Tournament projections, Ole Miss is slotted as a No. 5 seed.

At the forefront of Ole Miss’ attack is 6-foot-2 senior guard Madison Scott, who leads the team with 12.2 points per game, 3.8 assists, and 5.3 rebounds. She’s been a key figure in their strong late-season push, and South Carolina must be prepared for a tough challenge in this final road contest.

How South Carolina’s Offense Compares to Ole Miss

Both teams are high-scoring and defensively disciplined, but South Carolina has the edge in points per game. The Gamecocks are averaging 80.8 points per game, compared to Ole Miss’ 76.1. On the defensive end, both teams are tough, allowing an average of 55.8 points (Ole Miss) and 57.1 points (South Carolina) per game.

Ole Miss has been a force in turnover creation, forcing an average of 21.5 turnovers per game and ranking No. 2 in the SEC with 11.9 steals. South Carolina, though, is no slouch, averaging 9.5 steals per game.

Key to the Game: Ole Miss’ Aggressive Defense

Freshman guard Sira Thienou has been a standout for Ole Miss, averaging a team-high 2.5 steals per game along with 11.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. She’s even recorded up to nine steals in a single game, showcasing her ability to disrupt opposing offenses.

South Carolina will need to focus on limiting Ole Miss’ fast-break opportunities, as transition offense is a major strength for the Gamecocks. However, they struggled in transition defense against UConn earlier this season, so that will be an area to watch closely.

The Gamecocks will look to push the tempo and out-run Ole Miss, similar to their shutout of fast-break points against Vanderbilt.

Joyce Edwards & MiLaysia Fulwiley: The Driving Force for South Carolina

Over the last three games, Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley have been the primary offensive catalysts for South Carolina. Edwards is averaging 13.2 points per game, while Fulwiley is close behind with 11.6.

In South Carolina’s most recent game, Fulwiley tied her career-high with 24 points, and Edwards added a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Against a tough Ole Miss defense, the duo will need to keep up their impressive offensive play to carry the Gamecocks to victory.

Special Bond Between Edwards and Fulwiley

The unique bond between Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley has emerged as one of South Carolina’s greatest strengths, providing the team with an undeniable offensive edge.

Final Prediction: South Carolina vs Ole Miss

While Ole Miss will undoubtedly put up a tough fight, South Carolina is expected to come out on top. Look for a competitive contest, but in the end, the Gamecocks are projected to win 82-75.

Stay tuned for all the action as we continue to follow this exciting game!