No. 3 Gamecocks win big over Providence. Ta’Niya Latson injured

South Carolina women’s basketball won its penultimate non-conference game on Sunday.

Dawn Staley and the No. 3 Gamecocks beat Providence 96-55 at home in Colonial Life Arena. With the victory, South Carolina is now 13-1 on the year and turns its attention to an SEC opener against Alabama on New Year’s Day.

South Carolina had six players score double-digits Sunday. The Gamecocks were led by 18 points each from Tessa Johnson and Madina Okot.

Agot Makeer returns; Ta’Niya Latson injured

Just when the roster seemed back to full strength for South Carolina, the Gamecocks dealt with yet another injury on Sunday.

Senior guard Ta’Niya Latson left the game with 4:18 left in the second quarter after going to the ground holding her left ankle area. She was eventually helped to the locker room without putting pressure on her left leg. Staley didn’t have an in-depth update on Latson but did she said was “smiling” and remained with the team after the game.

“She got treatment all second half. ... We’ll look at her tomorrow,” Staley said.

On a positive note, freshman wing Agot Makeer made her her first appearance in over a month .

Makeer had missed the previous five games in the concussion protocol and hadn’t played since USC lost to Texas in Las Vegas on Thanksgiving. Makeer played 23 minutes in her return and recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

“I thought she was a little rusty in the first half,” Staley said. “I think with extended minutes, I thought she looked good. She played the entire third quarter and hopefully she can continue to stack days, and connect days where she can help us.”

No signs of holiday hangover

Despite a week in between games in the middle of the holiday break, South Carolina started fast.

The Gamecocks outscored Providence 29-19 in the first quarter and shot 71.4% from the field as a team to start the game. Providence fought back a bit in the second quarter, but South Carolina still took a 46-34 lead into halftime.

There were times Sunday where it seemed harder for both offenses to miss a shot than make one. Even when Providence caught fire from the field, USC was able to maintain its lead. Providence led for just 24 seconds in the game.

South Carolina had a strong advantage in the paint against Providence. The Gamecocks out-rebounded the Friars 44-32 and out-scored them in the paint 42-28.

Gamecock of the game: Tessa Johnson

Junior guard Tessa Johnson lit the court up from 3-point range against Providence.

Johnson scored 18 points, including a season-high five made 3-pointers. That mark was also a career high.

Johnson was 6 for 10 from the field and recorded four rebounds and four assists. Johnson’s scoring was crucial as South Carolina’s leading scorer, forward Joyce Edwards, struggled to find the bottom of the bucket early in the game.

“I was kind of finding myself open,” Johnson said.

Honorable mention goes to forward Madina Okot. The senior recorded her 10th double-double of the year with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Alicia Tournebize update

South Carolina added some depth over the holiday break when it announced the signing of French prospect Alicia Tournebize.

USC, in its Dec. 22 announcement, said Tournebize would join the program after the team’s “holiday break.” South Carolina fans will have to wait to see Tournebize’s debut , as she was not with the Gamecocks against Providence.

“Just a little more patience for Alicia to join us FAMS!” South Carolina WBB’s X/Twitter account posted before the game. “She’s working through the documentation she needs to get here.”

Staley did not know for certain when Tournebize will be able to join the Gamecocks.

“We don’t know when she’s gonna get here,” Staley said. “I think she has appointments, documentation that she needs in order for her get here. But hopefully before school starts.”

South Carolina WBB’s next four games

• Thursday vs Alabama, 2 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
• Jan. 4 at Florida, 2 p.m. (SEC Network)
• Jan. 8 at Arkansas, 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network Plus)
• Jan. 11 vs Georgia, 2 p.m. (SEC Network)

This story was originally published December 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM.