Dawn Staley walked into the room today looking like someone who just finished a marathon but still had enough energy to run a victory lap. Honestly, you could feel the relief. After South Carolina’s 68-65 win over No. 4 Texas last night, the atmosphere at the Dawn Staley post game press conference today wasn’t just about another tally in the win column. It was about exorcising a ghost.
Texas was the only team to put a blemish on the Gamecocks’ record this season back in November. Coach Staley didn’t shy away from that. She sat down, adjusted the mic, and basically admitted that the " revenge tour" narrative, while maybe a bit cliché for the fans, was very real for her locker room.
The Alicia Tournebize Factor
One of the biggest talking points from the session was the debut of 6-foot-7 freshman Alicia Tournebize. She just arrived from France, specifically from the Tango Bourges Basket club, and Staley threw her right into the fire against a top-five opponent.
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She only played about five minutes. Didn't score. But the crowd went absolutely nuts when she checked in during the first quarter. Staley pointed out that having that kind of height—especially someone with professional experience in Europe—changes the math for opposing coaches. "She's still learning the terminology," Staley said, "but you can't teach 6-foot-7." It’s clear the coaching staff expects her to be a massive piece of the puzzle come March.
Turning the Tide in the Fourth
South Carolina looked shaky early. They turned the ball over six times in the first ten minutes and couldn’t buy a bucket, shooting 3-of-13 in the opening frame. Texas’s full-court press was a nightmare.
- The Turnaround: Raven Johnson.
- The Clutch Shot: Madina Okot’s three-pointer (only her third all year).
- The Closer: Tessa Johnson’s layup with just over a minute left.
Staley was particularly vocal about Raven Johnson’s growth. Raven finished with 10 points, but six of those came in the final quarter when the game was teetering. The coach noted that earlier in the season, the team might have crumbled under that Texas pressure. Instead, they limited themselves to just two turnovers in the fourth quarter. That's a huge jump from the eight turnovers they coughed up in the third.
Looking Ahead to the SEC Gauntlet
Despite the celebration, Staley was quick to pivot. The Gamecocks are now 18-1 overall and 5-0 in the SEC, but they aren't at the top of the conference standings. That spot belongs to No. 5 Vanderbilt, who is still sitting at a perfect 18-0.
"We enjoy it for the night," Staley said, "and then we get on a plane." The schedule doesn't get easier. South Carolina heads to Maryland to face Coppin State on Sunday before a massive showdown with Oklahoma on January 22nd. Then, the one everyone has circled: Vanderbilt comes to Columbia on January 25th.
Why This Win Matters for the Ranking
Most analysts expect South Carolina to jump back to the No. 1 spot in the AP Poll after this. Beating the only team that beat you—and doing it while integrating a mid-season roster addition—is the kind of statement the committee loves.
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Texas is no joke. Madison Booker put up 24 points and looked like the best player on the floor for long stretches. Rori Harmon added 16. But Texas shot a miserable 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. Staley credited her perimeter defense for "shrinking the floor" and forcing the Longhorns into tough mid-range looks rather than open threes.
Key Stats from the Victory:
- Joyce Edwards: 14 points, 8 rebounds.
- Tessa Johnson: 13 points, including the dagger jumper with 23 seconds left.
- Bench Points: Staley praised the depth, noting that Ta’Niya Latson’s 12 points were crucial when the starters were struggling with foul trouble.
Honestly, the biggest takeaway from the presser was Staley's poise. She knows she has a team that can win ugly. They shot 34.5% in the first half and still went into the locker room tied. That’s grit.
If you’re following this team, keep an eye on how the rotation shifts now that Tournebize is active. Staley mentioned she wants to get the freshman more "live-action reps" during the Coppin State game to prepare for the Vanderbilt clash.
For fans looking to stay ahead, the move is to watch how Staley manages the frontcourt minutes between Edwards, Okot, and now Tournebize. The interior defense is becoming a literal wall that few teams in the country can climb over.