Women’s Basketball Returns Home Thursday

Gamecocks Ready for Arkansas Matchup at Colonial Life Arena

The No. 6-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks take on Arkansas to wrap up their three-game homestand tonight. The action tips off at 7 p.m. at Colonial Life Arena, and here’s what to watch for:

Key Gamecock Highlights: South Carolina has been dominant on both ends of the floor, leading the SEC in multiple categories. They rank first in scoring defense (57.75 ppg), field goal percentage (.470), and field goal percentage defense (.344). On offense, they’re second in scoring with an impressive 80.67 points per game.

When it comes to strength of schedule, the Gamecocks top the nation. Their opponents have won 70.4% of their games this season, the highest in the country. In fact, the Gamecocks have faced the toughest slate in college basketball, boasting a total opposition win percentage of 69.5%.

South Carolina has also been dominant in the paint, ranking fourth nationally with 41.2 points per game in that area, outscoring opponents by an average of 14.5 points there.

The Gamecock bench is unmatched, producing a nation-leading 41.6 points per game. That’s a nine-point lead over the next best team. Notably, three of South Carolina’s top five scorers come off the bench. They also contribute 51.9% of the team’s total offense and 41.7% of the rebounds.

Dynamic Duo: Edwards and Fulwiley
The hometown stars, Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley, have been lighting it up lately. One of them has led the team in scoring during each of the last nine games, including six against ranked opponents.

Fulwiley has been filling up the stat sheet in recent games, averaging 13.4 points, 2.0 assists, and 2.8 steals in the last five outings. In SEC play, she ranks eighth in the league with 2.0 steals per game, while also leading the league’s guards with 1.0 blocks per game.

Edwards continues to be a model of efficiency, ranking 16th nationally with a .570 field goal percentage, and leading the SEC with an even higher .621 shooting percentage in conference play.

Raven Johnson has been the floor general, ranking first in the SEC with a 3.64 assist-to-turnover ratio in league games. She also sits 10th in steals (1.83) and 13th in assists (3.33) during SEC play. Johnson’s overall assist-to-turnover ratio of 3.00 is eighth in the nation.

In the paint, Chloe Kitts has been a force, ranking ninth in the SEC with 7.48 rebounds per game, including 2.76 offensive boards, which is 10th in the league.

By the Numbers:

• 8 Gamecocks average at least 20 minutes per SEC game.
• After a loss this season, South Carolina has responded with an average victory margin of 39.0 points in the next game.
• Te-Hina Paopao has been lights out from beyond the arc, shooting 45.5% (10-of-22) over the last four games, including a sizzling 6-of-11 (54.5%) in the two most recent home games.

The Arkansas Series: South Carolina has historically dominated Arkansas, holding a 27-18 all-time record, including a 20-4 mark under Head Coach Dawn Staley since the 2008-09 season. The Gamecocks have won the last nine matchups.

In last season’s meeting in Fayetteville, South Carolina cruised to a 98-61 victory. They turned a close game into a blowout with a defensive clinic, holding Arkansas to just nine points in the second quarter. Five Gamecocks scored in double figures, and South Carolina shot an impressive 60.6% from the field.

Defense First: Coach Dawn Staley’s commitment to defense remains unwavering, and her team has lived up to that expectation this season. The Gamecocks are sixth nationally in field goal percentage defense, allowing just 34.9% shooting from opponents. In SEC play, that number improves to a league-leading 34.4%. Only six teams have shot over 40% against them, while six teams have been held to under 30%.

Unstoppable Bench: Staley’s deep 13-player roster allows her to make substitutions without missing a beat. The Gamecock bench leads the nation with 41.6 points per game, contributing a massive 51.9% of the team’s offense. When facing ranked opponents, that percentage jumps to 57.9%. The bench has outscored the opponent’s bench by an average of 27.0 points per game, including 18.8 points per game against ranked teams.

The Fans: The Gamecocks’ fanbase has been a constant source of support. South Carolina has led the nation in average attendance for 10 consecutive seasons. This year, they’re setting the bar even higher with an average of 16,983 fans per game. Their fans have packed Colonial Life Arena for seven sellout games this season, including matchups against the likes of UConn and LSU.

It’s all set for another thrilling showdown tonight at Colonial Life Arena. Can the Gamecocks continue their dominant streak? Stay tuned for all the action!