Dawn Staley has a way of making heart-stopping games feel like just another Tuesday. Or in this case, a Thursday. If you were looking for the lady gamecock basketball score from the January 15, 2026, showdown against Texas, it was a nail-biter: South Carolina 68, Texas 65.
Colonial Life Arena was loud. 17,188 fans loud.
This wasn't just any game; it was revenge. Earlier in the season, back in November in Las Vegas, Texas handed the Gamecocks their only loss of the year—a 66-64 heartbreaker. This time around, in the middle of a cold January, the script flipped just enough to keep the Gamecocks' winning streak alive.
The fourth quarter chaos and how they won
Honestly, for a while there, it looked like the Longhorns might sweep the season series. Texas held a 49-48 lead going into the final ten minutes. Madison Booker was doing Madison Booker things, finishing with 24 points and proving why she’s one of the toughest covers in the country.
Then Raven Johnson decided she’d seen enough.
She only finished with 10 points, but six of those came in the fourth quarter. It wasn't just the scoring, though. She was basically the quarterback on the floor, assisting or scoring on 12 of the team's 18 points in that final frame. You've got to appreciate that kind of veteran poise. While the rest of the world watches the flashy dunks or deep threes, Raven’s ability to manipulate a defense is what actually wins titles.
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She also moved into the number five spot for all-time career assists in South Carolina history during this game. Not a bad night at the office.
Fresh faces and familiar heroes
Joyce Edwards continues to look less like a sophomore and more like a seasoned pro. She led the scoring with 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. It’s kinda wild how Dawn Staley keeps finding these players who can handle the pressure of a top-five matchup without blinking.
We also saw the debut of Alicia Tournebize. The French newcomer got a massive ovation when she checked in during the first quarter. She didn't light up the stat sheet, but her presence adds yet another layer of depth to a roster that’s already deeper than a South Carolina well.
Tessa Johnson was the spark from the outside. She went 3-for-4 from behind the arc. One of those threes tied the game during a crucial 10-4 run that finally gave the Gamecocks some breathing room.
Understanding the lady gamecock basketball score trends
If you’re tracking the lady gamecock basketball score throughout this 2025-26 season, you'll notice a pattern of defensive dominance mixed with occasional offensive explosions. They aren't just winning; they are smothering people.
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Before the Texas game, they blew out Georgia 65-43 and crushed Arkansas 93-58.
The stats for the season so far are pretty staggering:
- Overall Record: 18-1
- SEC Record: 5-0
- Scoring Average: 88.6 points per game
- Points Allowed: 54.2 points per game
- Current Streak: 11 wins
They are outscoring opponents by over 34 points a night. That’s not a basketball game; that’s a scheduled demolition. The only time they’ve looked "human" was in those two matchups against Texas, which were decided by a combined five points.
Texas is the only team that has figured out how to make South Carolina uncomfortable. They forced 20 turnovers in this latest meeting and actually outrebounded the Gamecocks 34-29. Usually, South Carolina owns the glass. Seeing them get out-worked on the boards is sort of like seeing a glitch in the Matrix.
Why the SEC standings are getting tight
Despite the big win, South Carolina isn't actually alone at the top of the SEC. Vanderbilt is currently sitting at 18-0 (4-0 in conference) and looking like a legitimate threat. It’s been a minute since the Commodores were this relevant, but here we are.
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Tennessee is also lurking with a 4-0 conference start.
The Gamecocks' schedule doesn't get much easier. They’ve got a road trip to Baltimore to face Coppin State on January 18, then they head to Norman to face Oklahoma on the 22nd.
Actionable insights for Gamecock fans
If you’re planning on following the team through the rest of the winter, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the turnover margin: In their close games, the Gamecocks have struggled with ball security. When they stay under 12 turnovers, they are essentially unbeatable.
- Keep an eye on the NET rankings: As of mid-January, South Carolina is holding steady in the top three, but those rankings fluctuate wildly with every top-25 matchup.
- Tickets are disappearing: If you want to see a game at Colonial Life Arena, buy them now. The attendance for the Texas game was over 17,000, and the remaining home games against Vanderbilt and Tennessee will likely sell out.
- Follow the assist-to-turnover ratio: Raven Johnson and Ta'Niya Latson are the engines. If their ratio stays above 2.0, the offense flows. If it dips, the game becomes a grind.
The road to the Final Four in 2026 clearly runs through Columbia. While the lady gamecock basketball score against Texas was closer than some fans might like, it proved that this team knows how to win ugly. And in March, winning ugly is the only thing that matters.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the next few weeks, as the rotation is still being tweaked with the addition of Tournebize. Dawn Staley is clearly still experimenting with lineups, which is a scary thought for the rest of the SEC. If they’re this good while still "figuring it out," the rest of the country is in trouble.
Check the official Gamecocks Athletics site or the SEC Network for the most recent live updates as they head into the Coppin State game this Sunday.