Gamecocks, Edwards Earn Weekly Honors – University of South Carolina Athletics

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina women’s basketball was named USBWA Team of the Week for the third time this season and became the first team in the awards’ history to earn the title in consecutive week. Forward Joyce Edwards picked up her second SEC Freshman of the Week award for her team-leading offensive effort in a pair of top-20 victories last week.

South Carolina continued its run over double-digit victories to a program-record 13 last week after going on the road for a 76-58 win at #19/19 Alabama and overwhelming #13/13 Oklahoma at home 101-60 for the program record scoring margin against a ranked opponent. The Gamecock defense forced 31 turnovers in the two games to average 21.5 points off turnovers for the week. Offensively, four players finished with double-figure points as South Carolina poured in 88.5 points per game.

Edwards was the team’s top scorer for the week, scoring 19.0 points per game on 75.0 percent shooting. She scored 11 of her career-high 21 points at Alabama in the fourth quarter, including nine during the late rally after the Tide had pulled within five points. She hit 3-of-3 free throws in that stretch, including finishing a traditional three-point play that made it a 16-point game. Edwards posted a team-high 17 points against Oklahoma, leading the team in scoring for the seventh time this season. Seven of those point came in the second quarter, accounting for a third of the team’s point in the period.

No. 2/2 South Carolina is back in action on Thursday night, hosting No. 5/5 LSU with College Game Day broadcasting from Colonial Life Arena beginning at 7 p.m. Doors will open for Fast Break Pass holders at 6 p.m. with all doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. on ESPN.

Continue to check GamecocksOnline.com and the team’s social media accounts (@GamecockWBB) for the most up-to-date information on South Carolina women’s basketball.