COLUMBIA, SC – No. 2/2 South Carolina women’s basketball officially opens its 2025-26 season on Mon., Nov. 3, against Grand Canyon. Tipoff at Colonial Life Arena is set for 7 p.m. with a pre-game ceremony to celebrate the Gamecocks’ 2024-25 achievements will begin at 6:40 p.m.
Gameday Information
Doors Open: 6 p.m. | 5:30 p.m. for Fast Break Pass
Giveaway: Fans
South Carolina Gamecocks (0-0)
Head Coach: Dawn Staley
Top Ret. Scorer: Joyce Edwards (12.7)
Top Ret. Rebounder: Joyce Edwards (5.0)
Grand Canyon Lopes (0-0)
Head Coach: Winston Gandy
Top Ret. Scorer: Ale’jah Douglas (3.0)
Top Ret. Rebounder: Ale’jah Douglas (1.3)
Gamecock Notables
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Prior to the season’s first official tipoff, South Carolina will celebrate its 2024-25 season with a ceremony slated to begin at approximately 6:40 p.m. With banners for SEC regular-season and tournament championships and another Final Four appearance, the Gamecocks will receive their rings commemorating those achievements as well. Grand Canyon head coach Winston Gandy and assistant coach Chloe Rice, who were part of the Gamecocks’ 2024-25 success, are scheduled to participate in the ceremony as well.
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The Gamecocks are coming off a 91-82 win over #11/11 North Carolina in exhibition action last Thursday in Atlanta. South Carolina out-scored the Tar Heels 54-34 in the paint and shot 50.0 percent from the field in the victory.
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South Carolina’s 2025-26 schedule includes 11 games against teams ranked in the preseason national polls. Four of those games are in non-conference action, and six of the 11 are against other preseason top-10 opponents..
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Five Gamecocks earned spots on their position award watch lists, making South Carolina one of three schools with an entry on every list.
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After leading South Carolina in scoring last season, sophomore Joyce Edwards picked up where she left off, averaging a team-high 19.5 points in exhibition action this season, during which she also averaged 8.5 rebounds.
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Point guard Raven Johnson continues to be the engine that drives the Gamecocks on both side of the ball, averaging team highs with 4.0 assists and 3.5 steals in exhibition play.
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The Gamecocks’ veteran transfers have been as-advertised already in exhibition games. Ta’Niya Latson, the 2024-25 NCAA scoring leader, averaged 16.5 points and 3.0 assists over the two games, including 19 against #11/11 North Carolina. Madina Okot’s exhibition play averaged a double-double of 14.0 points and 10.5 rebounds.
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A pair of reserves stood out in the exhibition against #11/11 North Carolina. Senior forward Maryam Dauda poured in 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting to go with five rebounds in just 18 minutes on the court. Sophomore Maddy McDaniel was equally efficient with a dynamic nine points on 3-of-4 shooting and four assists – against just one turnover – in 23 minutes on the court.
Season Openers
South Carolina is 15-2 in season openers under head coach Dawn Staley with the two losses coming in her first three seasons at the helm. Five of those 17 season openers were against ranked opponents.
The Gamecocks are opening the season at home for the first time since the 2022-23 season after playing the last two season openers at neutral sites. The are 8-1 when opening the season at home in the Dawn Staley era.
Exhibition Action
South Carolina won both their exhibition games this season, including a top-15 matchup against No. 11/11 North Carolina on Oct. 30 in Atlanta. Over the two games, Joyce Edwards led five Gamecocks averaging double figures with 19.5 points per game. Madina Okot dominated the glass with 10.5 rebounds per game. Raven Johnson’s 4.0 assists and 3.5 steals per game led the team.
As a team, South Carolina shot 51.7 percent from the field with six Gamecocks shooting over 50.0 percent.
