No. 3 South Carolina opens SEC Tournament title defense with 87-64 rout of No. 17 Kentucky
South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards shoots over Kentucky during first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. Credit: AP/Chris Carlson
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Joyce Edwards scored 21 points, Madina Okot added 12 points and 13 rebounds and No. 3 South Carolina routed 17th-ranked Kentucky 87-64 in the first of four Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinal games Friday at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Tessa Johnson added 15 points and Ta'Niya Latson 12 for the top-seeded Gamecocks, who raced to a 17-point halftime lead and never let up.
South Carolina (30-2) looked laser focused as it began its quest for a fourth straight SEC Tournament title and 10th in the past 12 seasons under coach Dawn Staley, shooting 53% from the field, forcing 19 turnovers and outscoring Kentucky 46-24 in the paint.
Amelia Hassett had 15 points and Clara Strack scored 13 to lead Kentucky (23-10).
The Gamecocks will play Saturday against former point guard MiLaysia Fulwiley and No. 6 LSU, which routed No. 7 Oklahoma 112-78.
Kentucky, the ninth seed, was playing its third game in three days following a 94-64 win over Arkansas and a 76-61 victory over Georgia with Strack combining for 53 points and 21 rebounds.
Whether or not fatigue played a factor, the Wildcats simply looked a step behind the fresh Gamecocks all game.
Kentucky guard Jordan Obi drives to the basket between South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson and center Madina Okot during first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. Credit: AP/Chris Carlson
South Carolina raced out to a 44-27 lead at the half, using a big height advantage to dominate the paint 20-12 and a stifling defense to force 10 turnovers. Tessa Johnson provided the early spark with 12 points in the first half and Okot had a double-double before the break.
South Carolina kept its foot on the gas in the second half, using a 13-6 run to build a 24-point lead and was never threatened again.
The big lead allowed Staley to rest her starters for the majority of the second half to keep them fresh for Saturday.
Up next
Kentucky: The Wildcats will await their NCAA Tournament fate, where they hope they've done enough to earn a top 16 spot and the opportunity to host the first two rounds.
Kentucky guard Tonie Morgan shoots over South Carolina guard Tessa Johnson during first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the quarterfinals of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Friday, March 6, 2026, in Greenville, S.C. Credit: AP/Chris Carlson
South Carolina: The Gamecocks will play LSU on Saturday in the semifinals.
