Every time MiLaysia Fulwiley steps on the court, she’s no less than a formidable phenom. Right after embarking on the court, she makes it difficult for the opponent to survive with her passing and scoring skills. Even in the last game against Coppin State, she, as usual, dominated by contributing 23 staggering points to the team’s 92-60 win. Even so, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley notes that the guard isn’t without her flaws.

“It’s a battle with Lay and she understands,” replied HC Dawn Staley with a very insightful answer when asked about the Gamecocks’ young guard in a post-game conference. Averaging 11 points and 2.5 rebounds per game, Fulwiley has got only one drawback. No, it’s not about her stats, but about her getting “anxious to make a play.”

As she turns out to be anxious, she ends up making spectacular passes, instead of attempting buckets or going for layups herself. This ends up getting Fulwiley into “trouble” for the Gamecocks. “Go score, you miss, and they’re gonna get the rebound, so those types of instances,” added Staley. “She can’t hear me in those moments in the game.” 

Fulwiley, however, was the better player for the team today. For game-high 23 points, coming off the bench, she had 9 of 13 field goals and 4-7 three-pointers –near half of SC’s total 10. But Fulwiley isn’t the only one on the roster Staley’s worried about.

It’s the entire Gamecock roster

Despite having three wins under their belt, making it their 41st straight win and 60th at home, the Gamecocks still have a way to improve. “It’s the same team, but it’s a new team,” shared South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley. Kamilla Cardoso, the team’s standout, is now playing for the WNBA. This simply means that the Gamecocks’ player, who was in the lineup in all their 38 games while averaging 15 minutes off the bench, is not there to lead.

“The dynamics have changed, the way we do things have changed, especially offensively.” Well, Staley’s got a task in hand. During the season opener against Michigan, South Carolina barely maintained a lead in the first half, whereas in a game versus NC State, they went on a 9-0 run to close the second quarter.

Coppin State held down the team in the first quarter too but a ‘limitless’ Joyce Edwards would bring them back with a layup and a freethrow to help finish the first half 43-28. Well, Staley is still experimenting with combinations, and she has her work cut out. But for now, the team did extend their program-record home win streak.