The third-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks secured a dominant 96-55 victory over the Providence Friars in women's college basketball on Sunday. However, the win was overshadowed by a potentially significant injury to their star guard, Ta'Niya Latson.
Victory Marred by Key Injury
While Tessa Johnson and Madina Okot led the scoring with 18 points each, the major talking point was the exit of Ta'Niya Latson. The guard, who was the nation's top scorer last season and is South Carolina's second-leading scorer this year, injured her left foot during the second quarter at Colonial Life Arena.
Latson had to be helped off the court, unable to put any weight on her foot. She had already contributed 10 points before her departure. Head coach Dawn Staley did not provide an immediate update on the severity of the injury after the game concluded.
Game Highlights and Standout Performances
Despite the defensive challenges acknowledged by the team, the Gamecocks' offense was more than sufficient to secure the win, improving their record to an impressive 13-1. Providence Friars now stand at 8-6 for the season.
Tessa Johnson was instrumental from beyond the arc, sinking five three-pointers. Madina Okot achieved a notable milestone, recording her 10th double-double of the season. This ties her with Oklahoma's Raegan Beers for the most double-doubles in the country.
For the Providence Friars, Sabou Gueye was the top scorer with 16 points. The Friars managed to disrupt South Carolina's rhythm by effectively beating their offense off the dribble, forcing the Gamecocks to adjust their preferred fast-paced game.
Implications and Road Ahead
The potential long-term absence of Ta'Niya Latson poses a serious challenge for South Carolina. She is the team's most reliable scorer. The Friars' defense also successfully contained forward Joyce Edwards in the first half, a strategy future opponents are likely to emulate.
Looking forward, Providence returns to Big East conference action, hosting the top-ranked Connecticut Huskies on December 31. South Carolina begins its SEC campaign by hosting Alabama on January 1. The team's performance in these upcoming games may heavily depend on Latson's recovery timeline.
