COLUMBIA, S.C. (Interstat) — The top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks opened their NCAA Tournament with a dominant display of defensive pressure and overwhelming interior force, routing the Southern Lady Jaguars 103-34 in a first-round game Saturday at Colonial Life Arena.

From the opening tip, the Gamecocks established a suffocating defensive presence that the Lady Jaguars, champions of the Southwestern Athletic Conference Tournament, could not solve. Southern managed just six points in the first quarter and a mere two in the entire third period, as South Carolina’s length and athleticism generated a cascade of turnovers and contested shots.

The most important part of the game was South Carolina’s immediate and relentless defensive pressure, which set the tone for the lopsided affair. The Gamecocks forced Southern into 29 turnovers, converting those miscues into 35 points. The Lady Jaguars’ offensive struggles were profound, shooting just 21 percent from the field for the game. Southern’s two-point third quarter epitomized the defensive stranglehold, as South Carolina expanded a 44-19 halftime lead to 76-21 by the start of the final period.

Joyce Edwards, a 6-foot-3 sophomore from Camden, South Carolina, led the charge for the Gamecocks. She scored a game-high 27 points on efficient 11-of-14 shooting, grabbed eight rebounds, and added three assists, a block and a steal in just 28 minutes. Her activity at both ends fueled South Carolina’s early runs.

She was far from alone. Ta’Niya Latson, a 5-8 guard from Miami, Florida, orchestrated the offense with 17 points and six assists. Tessa Johnson of Albertville, Minnesota, posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Madina Okot, a 6-6 center from Mumias, Kenya, dominated the paint with 15 points and eight rebounds. Agot Makeer of Thunder Bay, Canada, added 16 points, three rebounds and three steals.

Southern, which finished its season 20-14, was led by Jocelyn Tate’s 10 points and eight rebounds. Jestiny Dixon added five points and six boards. The Lady Jaguars scored only 14 points in the paint compared to South Carolina’s 62, highlighting the stark disparity in post play.

South Carolina methodically built its lead throughout the contest. After leading 19-6 after one quarter, the Gamecocks used a 13-2 run early in the second to push the advantage to 32-11. The third quarter was a defensive clinic, as South Carolina outscored Southern 32-2, holding the Lady Jaguars without a field goal for the entire 10-minute span.

The victory improved South Carolina’s record to 32-3 as it advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks will face the winner of the Southern California game on Monday, again at Colonial Life Arena.

Southern’s season concludes after winning the SWAC Tournament to reach the NCAA field. The Lady Jaguars were appearing in their first tournament since 2019.

The game played out as heavily expected, with South Carolina covering the large pregame point spread. The combined score of 137 points fell under the posted over/under line.