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12/07 14:17 CST Latson, Edwards lead No. 3 South Carolina to 106-42 win over
North Carolina Central
Latson, Edwards lead No. 3 South Carolina to 106-42 win over North Carolina
Central
By PETE IACOBELLI
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) --- Ta'Niya Latson scored a season-high 32 points and Joyce
Edwards 25 as No. 3 South Carolina rolled past North Carolina Central 106-42 on
Sunday, despite missing ill starter Tessa Johnson and losing Madina Okot to
injury in the first half.
Johnson had 20 points to lead the Gamecocks (9-1) to a 79-77 victory at
Louisville this past Thursday, but came down with an illness and was held out.
Okot, the 6-foot-6 Mississippi State transfer averaging 15 points and 11
rebounds, came off the floor midway through the second quarter and did not
return.
Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said afterwards that Okot was feeling sick. "It's
going around," she said.
The absences had South Carolina off balance early on and kept the Eagles (1-8)
hanging around longer than some in the crowd expected.
North Carolina Central hit three of its first four shots to lead 7-4 before
South Carolina got going behind Edwards to close the first quarter with a 22-7
run. Edwards had had two three-point plays and 12 points during that stretch as
the Gamecocks outscored North Carolina Central 22-10 in the paint to take
control.
The Gamecocks came out with some fire after the break on both sides of the
ball. Latson hit a pair of 3-pointers as South Carolina opened with a 25-0 run.
The Eagles missed their first 12 shots of the period and ended up getting
outscored 28-2.
Tierney Coleman led North Carolina Central with 14 points.
South Carolina's defense forced 36 turnovers and had 10 blocks against the
Eagles.
South Carolina's Okot came in leading the country with seven double-doubles.
She was not on the bench when the team returned in the second half, coming out
of the locker room midway through the third quarter. Okot finished with 10
points and a rebound shy of another double-double in 11 first-half minutes.
South Carolina's roster had just 10 players after expected post players Ashlyn
Watkins and Chloe Kitts were lost for the season with injuries. While the
attrition has continued in the season's opening month, Staley blocks it out as
best she can.
Staley concentrates on who is available to play. "We got eight (players) today.
I only see eight. We got reduced to seven, I only see seven," she said. "We're
just going to play the hand that we're dealt to the best of our ability."
Up next
North Carolina Central goes to High Point on Dec. 14.
South Carolina hosts Penn State on Dec. 14.
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