South Carolina Dominates Tennessee Tech, Advances to NCAA Tournament Round of 32
COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Gamecocks began their NCAA Tournament title defense in emphatic fashion, crushing Tennessee Tech 108-48 in the first round on March 21. While the expected blowout showcased their firepower, it also highlighted an area for improvement as they prepare for a tougher challenge in the next round.
Dominant Performance with Lessons to Learn
The Gamecocks (31-3) overwhelmed the Golden Eagles (25-6) with their size, speed, and outside shooting, setting a program record for points in an NCAA Tournament half (60). However, early turnovers—particularly while trying to force the ball inside—showed some rust after a 12-day break.
Tech’s game plan was simple: pack the paint to stifle South Carolina’s post players, Sania Feagin and Chloe Kitts, while daring the Gamecocks’ guards to shoot. That strategy quickly unraveled as Te-Hina Paopao drained an early three-pointer, setting the tone for USC’s season-high 12 made threes.
Yet, the turnovers were a concern. South Carolina gave the ball away eight times in the first half while trying to work inside, an issue they must correct before facing a bigger, more physical Indiana team in the Round of 32.
“It took us a little bit to adjust,” said head coach Dawn Staley. “Once Pao hit a couple of shots, Tessa (Johnson) hit a couple of 3s, they loosened up so we were able to maneuver.”
Balanced Attack, Record-Breaking Night
Despite the early struggles, the Gamecocks dominated every aspect of the game. Freshman Joyce Edwards led the way with 22 points, showing her ability to score through traffic. Nine other players contributed at least six points, with the team’s depth on full display.
South Carolina’s bench was particularly impressive, scoring a record 66 points—the most in any game since 2000. Redshirt freshman Adhel Tac even got in on the action, making the most of her limited minutes with six points on perfect shooting.
The victory also avenged Tennessee Tech’s 1989 NCAA Tournament upset over South Carolina, a long-forgotten loss now erased by this dominant performance.
Looking Ahead: Indiana Awaits
Next up, the Gamecocks will host ninth-seeded Indiana on March 23 in what will be their final home game of the season. Staley had the chance to scout the Hoosiers after their win over Utah and provided an early breakdown.
“Indiana, they play hard on both sides of the ball. They get up and down the floor. They’re fearless, they can knock down 3s, they like paint points,” Staley said. “They’re physical from a defensive standpoint.”
The game will also mark the last home appearance for seniors Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, and Sania Feagin—along with possibly Raven Johnson and Sakima Walker, who have eligibility remaining but haven’t announced their future plans.
For Paopao, it’s about giving the fans one last great performance.
“The (family of fans, the FAMs), they mean so much to me,” she said. “I’m just ready to go out with a bang and put on a show for them.”
With South Carolina looking to clean up its interior offense and maintain its defensive dominance, the Round of 32 matchup against Indiana will be a true test as they continue their journey toward back-to-back national championships.