Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks Prove Unstoppable, Defeat Lady Vols in SEC Showdown
Dawn Staley has done it again. The South Carolina women’s basketball head coach has assembled another relentless and dynamic team, too formidable for Tennessee’s inspiring storyline to prevail Monday night.
The Lady Vols did their fans a little justice for a brief period in a game marred by Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell’s impressive return to the sidelines just one week after giving birth. Caldwell’s team shot out to an early nine-point lead, getting the home crowd excited in a frenetic first quarter. The No. 2-ranked Gamecocks regained control, however, and came away with a 70-63 victory, cementing their grip on the SEC.
South Carolina’s dominating performance came with a 22-point lead before Tennessee staged an inspiring fourth quarter to close the gap. As Caldwell is in her first season at Tennessee, the Lady Vols are currently not as deep and talented as Staley’s powerhouse roster.
Caldwell’s Lady Vols play an aggressive, up-tempo style, capitalizing on steals and 3-point attempts. However, the team’s reliance on transfers underscores the rebuilding phase. Tennessee’s first-year head coach inherited a talent pool that had been severely depleted during previous seasons.
Still, Caldwell has already done plenty to bridge the gap. In November she inked the nation’s No. 2-ranked recruiting class-which included three McDonald’s All-Americans. That goes a long way in bolstering Tennessee’s hope for getting on par with South Carolina.
For now, the Lady Vols are patching holes with transfers and adjusting to a new foundation under Caldwell’s leadership. By halftime against South Carolina, only four Tennessee players had scored—all transfers—while 10 players had logged significant minutes.
Meanwhile, Staley’s Gamecocks showed their signature depth and balance, led by standout freshman Joyce Edwards. The talented newcomer, a rising star, scored 18 points and continues to develop into a vital player for South Carolina.
Despite missing key players like Kamilla Cardoso, now thriving in the WNBA, and Ashlyn Watkins, sidelined with a torn ACL, the Gamecocks haven’t missed a beat. Edwards, who comes off the bench, smooths over any gaps and plays with a poise beyond her years.
“She’s emerging as a star,” Staley said, acknowledging the freshman’s impact during her 29 minutes on the court.
Staley’s unmatched depth remains her team’s greatest weapon. Against Tennessee, South Carolina’s bench accounted for 38 points. The Gamecocks also put on a defensive clinic, smothering Tennessee’s shooters and holding the Lady Vols to just 3-of-26 shooting from beyond the arc.
Tennessee rebounded better than LSU, whom South Carolina dominated on the glass last week. But open looks from long range did not materialize for the Lady Vols, who blew it.
Caldwell’s return to the bench after being greeted by her son, Conor, was a testimonial to resilience. Hinting at her quick recovery, Staley joked, “Women have the strength of 10 men.”
As Caldwell builds a promising future for Tennessee, she also caught an up-close glimpse of what her program is trying to catch up with. As Staley’s Gamecocks sit atop the SEC, the difference between the two teams can be summed up in several words-for now.
