South Carolina sent a message on Sunday - loud and clear.
The No. 3-ranked Gamecocks dominated No. 17 Tennessee, 93-50, in front of a fired-up crowd at Colonial Life Arena.
This wasn’t just a win - it was a statement. From the opening tip, South Carolina set the tone, and by halftime, they were already up 47-32, with the game well in their control.
Ta'Niya Latson was the engine behind South Carolina’s offensive onslaught. The sophomore guard lit it up with 21 points, leading all scorers, and added four steals to her stat line. Her defensive presence was just as impactful - she was disruptive in passing lanes and helped fuel transition opportunities that kept Tennessee on their heels all afternoon.
On the other side, it was a homecoming of sorts for Talaysia Cooper, the former Gamecock now suiting up for the Lady Vols. She led Tennessee with 17 points and stuffed the box score with five rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
Cooper was aggressive, taking 17 shots from the field and knocking down four from beyond the arc. But she didn’t get much help.
Tennessee struggled to find rhythm offensively, shooting just 2-of-9 from deep as a team, with Nya Robertson and Janiah Barker combining for only 16 points on a tough shooting night.
South Carolina’s defense deserves just as much credit as their offense. They clamped down early, holding Tennessee to 18 points in the first quarter and only 50 for the game.
That’s no small feat against a ranked SEC opponent. The Gamecocks’ ability to switch, contest shots, and force turnovers made life miserable for the Lady Vols, who never found a consistent answer.
Janiah Barker fought to make an impact for Tennessee with 10 points and six boards, but the Gamecocks’ interior defense made sure nothing came easy. Meanwhile, South Carolina’s depth and pace wore down the Lady Vols as the game went on, turning a competitive first half into a second-half runaway.
With this win, South Carolina moves to 24-2 on the season and 9-1 in SEC play, keeping them firmly in the national title conversation. Tennessee, now 15-6 overall and 7-2 in the conference, will need to regroup quickly as they look to bounce back from one of their toughest losses of the year.
Bottom line: South Carolina looked every bit the powerhouse they’re expected to be in March. If they keep playing like this - with Latson leading the charge and the defense locking in - they’re going to be a nightmare matchup for anyone standing in their way.