South Carolina avoids second straight loss, blows out No. 5 Vanderbilt
By David Wasson
Published:
The South Carolina women’s basketball team doesn’t lose very often, and it is even rarer to witness back-to-back Gamecocks setbacks.
Coach Dawn Staley’s second-ranked South Carolina team rebounded in a huge way Sunday against fifth-ranked Vanderbilt, spanking the Commodores 103-74 and handing Vandy its first loss of the 2025-26 season.
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The victory meant that South Carolina extended its streak without consecutive losses to 240 games. The Gamecocks absorbed a 94-82 loss to No. 16 Oklahoma on Thursday night.
Ta’Niya Latson scored 21 points to lead South Carolina (20-2 overall, 6-1 SEC), with Tessa Johnson adding 20 points. Madina Okot added 17 points off the bench and Joyce Edwards chipped in 16 points.
Vanderbilt saw its season-opening 20-game winning streak fall, with the Commodores also falling to 6-1 in SEC play. Mikayla Blakes scored a game-high 23 points, but Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda the only other Vandy player in double figures with 13 points.
South Carolina made 40-of-65 field goals for 62 percent and connected on 13 of 14 free throws. The Gamecocks outrebounded Vanderbilt 32-26 and also forced 20 Vanderbilt turnovers.
South Carolina’s victory was its fourth against a Top 25 team this season. The Gamecocks’ only other loss this season was a 66-64 setback to then-No. 4 Texas on Nov. 27.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
