COLUMBIA — Roughly 24 hours after coach Dawn Staley said only time will tell how South Carolina women’s basketball reacts to not having Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks defeated Texas A&M 90-49.
The No. 2 Gamecocks (15-1, 3-0 SEC) weren’t without a starter on Thursday but without Watkins, who is done for the season after tearing her ACL, freshman forward Joyce Edwards didn’t miss a beat.
Edwards has been averaging 10 points but on Thursday she had 19 points and 10 rebounds for her second double double of the season.
“I think Joyce has probably personally elevated her game,” Staley said. “Her practices, there’s a little more oomph to them, she plays that way regardless but I think Joyce feels the absence of Ashlyn and although I didn’t say give us more, she’s taken it upon herself to give more, to do more, and to prepare herself for moments like these.”
Edwards was hard to guard, as she was both relentless on the glass but also fairly accurate on her own shots. She finished 8-of-10 from the field and brought down four offensive rebounds.
With 1:41 left in the third quarter, Edwards’ initial shot rimmed out, but she got the rebound, powered through two defenders and scored on the putback through contact for a three-point play.
To close the first quarter, she caught the ball with her back to the basket with 3.7 seconds on the clock and dribbled, turned then put up a one-handed hook shot that rolled in at the buzzer.
Edwards’ ability to score from anywhere inside the arc opens up scoring opportunities for other teammates as well, given that defenders will double-team her.
“It’s one of the reasons why I came to South Carolina, it’s hard to guard all 13 of us,” Edwards said.
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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dawn Staley: Joyce Edwards elevates game in South Carolina win
