South Carolina Women’s Basketball Highlights Dawn Staley’s Bench Strength in March Madness

While the No. 1 ranked South Carolina women’s basketball team remains focused on the present, Friday’s dominant 60-point victory provided a clear look at the future.

The Gamecocks (31-3) cruised to a 108-48 win over No. 16 seed Tennessee Tech in their NCAA Tournament opener. The win was so decisive that head coach Dawn Staley had the opportunity to rotate in different lineups, giving more playing time to players who’ve typically been on the bench.

South Carolina’s bench set a new NCAA record with 66 points, the highest total since 2000. Every player who stepped onto the court contributed to the score, with all seven reserves scoring more than the entire Tennessee Tech team, which posted 48 points.

“It’s cool to see young people tap into the game even if they’re not promised any playing time,” Staley said.

Looking ahead, South Carolina will take on No. 9 Indiana (20-12) in the second round on Sunday.

Bench Players Shine

The Gamecocks’ bench has been a standout all season, leading the country in scoring at 41.5 points per game. What’s notable is that the top two bench scorers, Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley, don’t start. Edwards, a freshman, led the charge with 22 points in Friday’s win and is averaging 13.2 points per game. Fulwiley, a sophomore, is just behind with 12 points per game, contributing 15 points in the blowout.

As South Carolina loses key starters like Sania Feagin, Bree Hall, and Te-Hina Paopao at the season’s end, Edwards, Fulwiley, and Tessa Johnson are expected to step into starting roles.

For freshman point guard Maddy McDaniel, her future role as a starter or sixth man depends on Raven Johnson, a redshirt junior, who has yet to announce if she will return for another year. In the 18 minutes Staley gave McDaniel in the lineup Friday, the freshman showed maturity and poise, thriving in the tempo Tennessee Tech set. While Johnson isn’t a primary scorer, her ability to run the offense is crucial. McDaniel doesn’t need to rack up points—she simply needs to manage the game and maintain control.

“In our roles, it’s hard because we are point guards,” Johnson said. “We’re supposed to be like another Staley on the court. She has to trust us. McDaniel is really good for a freshman. I remember my freshman year, we didn’t play like that, so her getting these minutes now is phenomenal. The stuff that she does, I’m like, ‘Wow, how do you see this as a freshman?'”

A Glimpse into the Future

McDaniel delivered a perfect lob to 6-foot-7 Adhel Tac in the post, leading to a beautiful score. After the play, Tac pointed at McDaniel in appreciation.

“Maddy has always been there, it’s just playing time,” Staley said. “When Raven is playing well and Te-Hina is playing well, it’s hard because the other guards have to get the minutes they’ve earned all season long. Maddy stays ready. Anytime her number is called, she’s ready.”

Despite averaging just 3.9 minutes per game, Tac contributed 6 points in 5 minutes on Friday. McDaniel had 2 points, 3 assists, and 2 rebounds, while Maryam Dauda added 4 points, and Tessa Johnson scored 11.

Friday’s explosive bench performance gave a sneak peek at what’s to come for South Carolina. With such confident and mature play, Staley might have more depth than she initially thought as the Gamecocks pursue a back-to-back national title.