South Carolina rolls past Winthrop

Ta'Niya Latson poured in 24 points, Madina Okot dominated with 23, and Joyce Edwards added 22 as No. 2 South Carolina extended its perfect start to 5-0 for the fifth consecutive season, crushing Winthrop 106-56 on Wednesday night.

Okot, the Mississippi State transfer, notched her third double-double of the season with 11 rebounds and swatted three of South Carolina’s seven blocked shots.

Fresh off a commanding 69-52 victory over No. 11 Southern Cal in Los Angeles, the Gamecocks showed no mercy against the Big South’s Eagles (2-3).

South Carolina surged to a 16-2 lead after Madison Ruff briefly gave Winthrop a 2-0 lead.

The Gamecocks were unstoppable in the first half, with Latson sinking all seven shots, Okot hitting all six attempts, and Edwards connecting on 7 of 9 to build a 61-27 halftime lead.

South Carolina kept the intensity high after halftime, securing its seventh consecutive win over Winthrop.

Freshman Agot Makeer contributed 12 points, while senior Raven Johnson dished out a game-high 10 assists. The Gamecocks’ defense stifled Winthrop, holding them to 32% shooting, forcing 15 turnovers, and dominating the boards 46-24.

This marked the first time since 2014, when A’ja Wilson, Elem Ibiam, and Alaina Coates achieved the feat, that South Carolina had three players score 20 or more points in a single game. Mýa Pierfax led Winthrop with 16 points.