COLUMBIA — After two road games, South Carolina women’s basketball has its first SEC game in Colonial Life Arena.
The Gamecocks (14-1, 2-0 SEC) play Texas A&M (9-6, 1-1) on Thursday ( 5 p.m., ESPN2).
South Carolina defeated Missouri and Mississippi State last week.
The Aggies (9-6) upset then No. 25 Ole Miss on Sunday. The victory marked the first ranked win for the Aggies since beating South Carolina on Feb. 28, 2021.
South Carolina has won the last three matchups and is 12-4 overall in the series.
Here is what to know about Texas A&M ahead of the matchup:
Aicha Coulibaly is Texas A&M’s leading scorer
Senior guard Aicha Coulibaly is averaging a team-high 12.4 points per game this season for Texas A&M. The 6-foot Coulibaly averages around five rebounds per game and even with her height, she will still shoot from behind the 3-point line. She was 2-of-5 from 3-point range against Ole Miss and is averaging 5.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists.
Senior guard Sahara Jones is right behind Coulibaly, averaging 11.3 points per game and junior forward Jada Malone is averaging 10.5 points. Malone went 7-for-7 from the field against Ole Miss.
Sole Williams coming off big game vs Ole Miss
Despite only averaging 6.4 points per game this season, Sole Williams had a team-high 18 points against Ole Miss. A sophomore guard, Williams has scored 10 or more points in four games this season.
She leads the team with 2.6 assists per game and has shot and made more 3-pointers than anyone on the team (58-of-90).
Lauren Ware leads Texas A&M in blocks and rebounds
At 6-5, Lauren Ware leads the Aggies with 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game though she is only averaging six points per game. If Ashlyn Watkins is out for South Carolina, it will be up to Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin to disrupt her ability to crash the boards.
She had two steals and two blocks against Ole Miss.
South Carolina vs Texas A&M injury updates
The SEC injury report will be released on Wednesday but as of Monday, coach Dawn Staley has three players who may or may not play Thursday.
South Carolina
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Watkins: left Sunday’s game in the second quarter with a knee injury, did not return and no update to her status as of Monday
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Maddy McDaniel: has been out with a concussion, did not travel with the team to Missouri or Mississippi State
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Sakima Walker: is dealing with an ankle injury but is out of a medical boot and was practicing on Friday
Texas A&M
SUNDAY: How Tessa Johnson, Chloe Kitts rallied South Carolina women’s basketball past Mississippi State
South Carolina score prediction vs Texas A&M
South Carolina 89, Texas A&M 71: Watkins could play a big factor in this game but South Carolina has won a game already this season without her and even if she doesn’t play, the Gamecocks rally to take the win on home court.
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: South Carolina women’s basketball vs Texas A&M score prediction
