“I feel like other people will step up and play a bigger role for us,” said HC Dawn Staley after Ashlyn Watkins faced her season-ending injury, and the Gamecocks proved her absolutely right. The No. 2 South Carolina Gamecocks clinched their 50th straight SEC victory 90-49 against Texas A&M without one of their biggest offensive anchors, Watkins. Without Staley even needing to spell it out, the crew understood the assignment, and freshman forward Joyce Edwards led the charge, stepping up big-time when her team needed her most.

On Thursday night, Edwards didn’t just meet expectations—she shattered them. Averaging 10 points per game up to this point, the 18-year-old put up team-high 19 points and snagged 10 rebounds, notching her second double-double of the season. She was everywhere. 

Whether it was a relentless pursuit on the boards or showing off her scoring versatility. Coach Staley couldn’t help but beam with pride. “I think Joyce has probably personally elevated her game,” she said. “Her practices, there’s a little more oomph to them… 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.” 

The coach added during the post-game conference, “I mean she, she was relentless on the boards.” Moreover, she didn’t forget to mention that the baller is just halfway through the very first year, and she is already getting to know “how to play at this level and make a big impact.” 

Speaking of the big impact, to close the first quarter, the freshman gave fans one of the night’s most amazing moments. With just 3.7 seconds left, she caught the ball with her back to the basket, dribbled, turned, and hit a one-handed hook shot—and it beat the buzzer. 

She finished the game shooting 8-of-10 from the field and hauled in four offensive rebounds. It wasn’t just Edwards, though. This was a team effort in every sense of the word. Six Gamecocks finished with double-digit points.

The forward group, adjusting to life without the junior forward, collectively contributed 42 points and 21 rebounds. And just like that, they cruised to their 15th win of the season and extended their winning streak to 10 games. However, this remarkable performance comes in the shadow of devastating news as earlier this week, the team announced that junior standout Ashlyn Watkins is out for the season after tearing her ACL during Sunday’s game against Mississippi State.

In her three seasons with the Gamecocks, she has been a key piece, including their undefeated national championship run last year. Her absence leaves a gaping hole, but this team, indeed, knows how to rally and make a run for the title. However, where do they stand currently?

ESPN analyst predicts no. 1 seed for Dawn Staley & Co.

South Carolina’s dominance in recent years has been legendary. Since 2017, they’ve won three national championships, including last year’s perfect 38-0 season. Add to that five Final Four appearances, six Elite Eights, and six SEC tournament titles. This year, they’re once again in the mix for a deep run. 

ESPN’s Charlie Creme projects the Gamecocks as a No. 1 seed, hosting in Columbia for the first round of the NCAA Tournament. If these projections hold, South Carolina would face Eastern Illinois in their opener, with the winner taking on either Creighton or Oregon. 

The Gamecocks’ NET ranking is equally impressive. They’re 6-1 in Quad 1 games and unbeaten in Quads 2 through 4. Their only loss? A nail-biter against No. 1 UCLA back in November.

As strong as they’ve been, the road doesn’t get any easier. Next up is a tough matchup against No. 5 Texas on Sunday. With Texas just one spot behind them in the NET rankings, this promises to be a neck-to-neck clash. After that, the Gamecocks face a gauntlet of ranked SEC opponents, including Alabama, Oklahoma, LSU, and Tennessee, all before January is over. So, let’s see what lies ahead for them!