The story of David vs. Goliath ends with David coming out on top with an underdog victory.
That was not the case Friday.
No. 1 seed South Carolina put on a historic showing and beat No. 16 Tennessee Tech 108-48 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in front of a raucous crowd of 11,683 fans at Colonial Life Arena.
The 108 points are the most by South Carolina in an NCAA Tournament game in program history.
“Our players did what they needed to do to take care of business and advance,” coach Dawn Staley said.
On to the next round
With Friday’s win, South Carolina will advance to play in the Round of 32 on Sunday afternoon to face No. 9 seed Indiana. The Hoosiers advanced to the second round after beating No. 8 seed Utah 76-68 earlier Friday afternoon.
The game time and TV network are expected to be set late Friday or early Saturday.
South Carolina is now 9-0 in March Madness all-time against No. 16 seeds. The 108 points on Friday also set a program record for points scored against a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament. (The previous high was 91 points in 2024 against Presbyterian.)
University of South Carolina’s Bree Hall (23) shoots as Tennessee Tech’s Peyton Carter (22) and Chloe Larry (21) pressure during the first half of action in the First Round game of the NCAA Tournament at the Colonial Life Arena on Friday, March 21, 2025. Tracy Glantz [email protected]
Offensive tune-up
South Carolina was lights out on offense in its shellacking of Tennessee Tech.
The Gamecocks scored 60 in the first half, a program record in an NCAA Tournament game.
Every single one of South Carolina’s players who touched the floor scored against Tennessee Tech. Sakima Walker hit the layup to get USC over 100 points in the game.
South Carolina shot a season-high 67.2% as a team in the game. Four different players logged double-digit points in the scoring column.
“We just ran into a buzz saw today,” Tennessee Tech coach Kim Rosamond said. “We played a team on a mission to win a national championship. If they shoot the basketball like that the rest of the way, they’re going to be almost impossible to beat.”
Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks with 22 points, a performance that was “par for the course,” according to Staley. MiLaysia Fulwiley was behind her with 15 points.
“That’s what Joyce does,” Staley said. “Joyce prepares herself extremely well for for situations. Whatever the situation calls for, Joyce is right there. She’s able to make adjustments in real time. So hopefully she can continue to play that way, as long as we have opportunities to play in the tournament.”
South Carolina set a new season high with 13 3-pointers. Te-Hina Paopao and Tessa Johnson tied for the lead with three 3-pointers each. Raven Johnson, Bree Hall and Fulwiley each had two 3-pointers. They out-rebounded the Golden Eagles 47-15.
“We haven’t had that in a long time,” Staley said of the 3-pointers. “I think that is going to be the thing that really allows us to create some separation when it comes to points. It’s good to see Pao get some to go down, good to see Ray get some to go down, Breezy hit some, good to see Tessa and Lay. When we’re hitting like that we’re a hard guard. … So hopefully we can carry that over to Sunday and beyond.”
University of South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) and Chloe Kitts (21) block Tennessee Tech’s Chloe Larry (21)during the first half of action in the First Round game of the NCAA Tournament at the Colonial Life Arena on Friday, March 21, 2025. Tracy Glantz [email protected]
Important minutes for the bench
Staley’s starters — Paopao, Raven Johnson, Hall, Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin — only saw about eight minutes of action in the second half.
Edwards, Tessa Johnson and Fulwiley led the Gamecocks in minutes Friday in what felt like a sneak peek at the future of South Carolina basketball.
South Carolina typically ran a lineup that consisted of Maddy McDaniel, Johnson, Fulwiley, Edwards and another post player when the bench was in. Adhel Tac, Maryam Dauda and Walker all filled that forward role at times.
South Carolina’s bench scored 66 points in the game, the most in a NCAA Tournament game since 2000.
South Carolina’s next NCAA game
- Who: South Carolina vs. Indiana
- When: TBD time on Sunday
- TV: TBD
- Stream: ESPN app
This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 5:48 PM.
