No. 3 Gamecocks at Texas A&M for Monday Night Tilt – University of South Carolina Athletics
South Carolina Women’s Basketball: Dominance, Data, and the Dawn Staley Effect
On Monday, February 2, 2026, the No. 3/3 South Carolina Gamecocks face Texas A&. M, continuing a road stretch that highlights their consistent performance. Beyond the immediate game, a deeper look reveals trends in the team’s success and the broader landscape of women’s college basketball.
Offensive Firepower and Statistical Superiority
South Carolina’s offence currently ranks fourth nationally, averaging 88.7 points per game with a 51.2% field goal percentage. This scoring prowess extends to the road, where they average 88.4 points and shoot 49.9% from the field. A key component of this success is their fast-break offence, generating 22.1 fast break points per game – the second-highest in the nation. When Raven Johnson is on the court, fast break points account for 32.9% of the team’s offence.
Rebounding and Three-Point Accuracy: A Winning Combination
The Gamecocks aren’t just scoring; they’re controlling the boards. They are ninth in the nation in rebounding margin (10.8) and 12th in rebounds per game (43.6). Within the SEC, they boast a +7.1 rebounding margin and average 42.13 rebounds per outing. Complementing their inside game is impressive three-point shooting, currently at 37.6%. Tessa Johnson leads the team with a SEC-best 46.0% accuracy from beyond the arc, ranking seventh nationally. Ta’Niya Latson (39.2%) and Raven Johnson (37.0%) also contribute significantly to the team’s outside shooting.
Player Performance: Edwards and Johnson Leading the Charge
Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards is a standout performer, ranking among the SEC’s elite in multiple categories. She’s third in the league in scoring (20.0 ppg) and fourth in field goal percentage (.593). Her defensive contributions are equally impressive, ranking ninth in the SEC with 1.3 blocks per game and 11th with 2.0 steals per game. Point guard play is also thriving, with Raven Johnson averaging 12.3 points on 54.8% shooting in SEC play, and Maddy McDaniel adding 3.8 points and a 3.57 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Texas A&M Series: A History of Success
South Carolina holds a 13-4 all-time record against Texas A&M, including a 5-2 mark in College Station. Their most recent meeting, on January 9, 2025, resulted in a decisive 90-49 victory for the Gamecocks, led by Joyce Edwards’ 19 points and 10 rebounds. A previous visit to Reed Arena on January 21, 2024, saw the Gamecocks shoot 67.2% from the field in a 99-64 win.
Dawn Staley’s Legacy: A Coaching Powerhouse
Head coach Dawn Staley’s impact is undeniable. With a .777 winning percentage (668-192) across 26 seasons, she ranks eighth among active head coaches and 10th all-time. Her three national championships place her fourth among all head coaches in NCAA titles. Staley has led the Gamecocks to multiple 40-game win streaks, including a program-record 43-game streak. She is the first Black head coach to win multiple NCAA titles and has led her teams to four NCAA National Championship games.
In her 18 seasons at South Carolina, Staley has amassed a program-record 496 wins and secured 14 postseason appearances. She accounts for all seven of the Gamecocks’ Final Four appearances and the program’s only NCAA National Championships. Her nine SEC regular-season championships trail only Pat Summitt’s 16, and her seven SEC Coach of the Year awards are second only to Summitt’s record.
Blocking and Defensive Prowess
South Carolina has established itself as a premier shot-blocking program since winning the 2017 national championship. Currently, they rank fifth nationally with 6.3 blocks per game, including 4.6 against ranked opponents and an SEC-best 6.3 per league game. Madina Okot leads the team with 1.6 blocks per game, while Joyce Edwards adds 1.3. Gamecock guards contribute an additional 2.3 blocks per game.
The Rise of Madina Okot
centre Madina Okot, who began playing basketball at 17, is emerging as a dominant force. She is among the nation’s top 20 in several statistical categories, including seventh in double-doubles (13), 19th in rebounds per game (10.3), and 14th in field goal percentage (.597). She converts 45.0% of her offensive rebounds into points.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is South Carolina’s current record against Texas A&M? South Carolina holds a 13-4 all-time record against Texas A&M.
- Where does Dawn Staley rank among active head coaches in winning percentage? Dawn Staley ranks eighth among active head coaches with a .777 winning percentage.
- What is South Carolina’s ranking in national rebounding margin? South Carolina is ninth in the nation in rebounding margin (10.8).
Pro Tip: Pay attention to the Gamecocks’ performance in the paint – they are outscoring SEC teams by an average of 14.8 points per game in that area.
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