COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The No. 3-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team secured at least a share of their 10th Southeastern Conference regular-season title on Sunday with a dominant 85-48 victory over the No. 17 Ole Miss Rebels. But the celebration was muted in the Gamecocks' home arena, as coach Dawn Staley and her players set their sights on clinching the outright championship this week.
The win improved South Carolina's conference record to 13-1, putting them one victory away from sole possession of the title. They can achieve that when they host Missouri on Thursday evening at Colonial Life Arena. "Hopefully, we can get that done Thursday, and we'll make sure we jump around because it's an incredible feat in this conference," Staley said after the game. She emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, adding, "I don't want us to take our foot off the gas, because when you can control your own destiny, you should take advantage of it."
Last season, South Carolina shared the SEC regular-season crown with Texas, both finishing at 15-1 after losing only to each other in league play. The tiebreaker for the tournament's top seed came down to a coin flip, which the Gamecocks won. Staley made it clear her team has no interest in repeating that scenario. "We don't want to go down that route again," she said.
Texas and Vanderbilt currently sit in second place at 11-3 in conference play, following their wins on Sunday. South Carolina's lone league loss this season came in overtime at Oklahoma on January 22. After facing unranked Missouri, the Gamecocks will close out the regular season on March 1 against No. 16 Kentucky in Lexington. The SEC tournament follows from March 4 to 8 in Greenville, South Carolina, just a short drive from Columbia. South Carolina has claimed that title nine times overall, including five of the last six years.
This marks the Gamecocks' fifth consecutive SEC regular-season championship and their 10th in the last 13 seasons under Staley, who took over the program in 2008. Only Tennessee, with a record 18 regular-season titles, has a longer streak of consecutive shared or outright crowns, holding seven from 1998 to 2004. Staley's tenure has been marked by sustained excellence, including national championships in 2017, 2022, and 2024.
The Gamecocks' success in the SEC has translated to broader achievements. They've produced two No. 1 overall picks in the WNBA draft during Staley's era: four-time MVP A'ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston. Wilson, a South Carolina alumna, attended Sunday's game to watch her former team. "This has been the training ground to success outside of the SEC," Staley said, reflecting on how league dominance has fueled national recognition. "Winning five SEC championships consecutively ... it's almost like an out-of-body experience. And when we've won championships, the players that are supposed to get to the next level get to the next level. Because people want winners."
On the court Sunday, South Carolina showcased the defensive intensity that has defined their season. They limited Ole Miss to 26.5% shooting from the field, holding the Rebels to just nine points in both the second and third quarters. Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks with 21 points, while Madina Okot contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds in a double-double performance.
Ole Miss struggled offensively, particularly leading scorer Cotie McMahon, a projected top pick in the upcoming WNBA draft. McMahon finished with only two points on 0-of-9 shooting. Like South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson and Okot, both also seen as high draft prospects, McMahon's off night highlighted the Gamecocks' defensive prowess.
Staley praised her team's resilience and coachability after the game. "The kitchen's hot when we play the type of league that we play in," she said. "Sometimes you've got to walk through it to get to the thermostat to turn it down. I think we've done a really good job taking the time with our players when they need it." She continued, "You know you've helped them. You've pushed them through a moment in which they could have gone downhill to a moment where you've restored their confidence. That's the cycle we go through every single year. They don't have to listen, so I'm happy we've got a group that listens and a desire to be great at what they do."
The matchup with Ole Miss was part of a grueling SEC schedule that has tested South Carolina throughout the season. Earlier this year, the Gamecocks split their series with Texas, the Longhorns' other top contender. Texas won the non-conference meeting on November 27 in Las Vegas at the Players Era Championship, but South Carolina avenged that loss with a victory over Texas in Columbia on January 15.
Missouri, South Carolina's next opponent, enters the game unranked but coming off a season of ups and downs in SEC play. The Tigers have shown flashes of competitiveness but will face a tall order against the Gamecocks, who are riding a wave of confidence after their lopsided win over Ole Miss.
Looking beyond the regular season, South Carolina's depth and experience position them as favorites not just in the SEC tournament but in the broader national landscape. With three national titles under Staley, the program has become a powerhouse, attracting top talent and producing professional stars. The proximity of the SEC tournament to home could provide an additional boost, allowing for strong fan support in Greenville.
As the Gamecocks push for the outright title, the focus remains on execution and avoiding complacency. Staley's philosophy of controlling their destiny resonates with a roster that includes promising young players like Edwards and Okot, alongside veterans hungry for more hardware. Their performance against Ole Miss served as a reminder of why South Carolina is once again at the forefront of women's college basketball.
The broader implications of another SEC title extend to recruiting and legacy-building. In a conference known for its intensity -- often called the toughest in the nation -- sustained success like South Carolina's sets a high bar. As Staley noted, the lessons learned in these high-stakes games prepare players for the pressures of national competition and beyond.
With the regular season winding down, all eyes will be on Thursday's showdown with Missouri. A win there would cap off a remarkable run and allow the Gamecocks to finally let loose in celebration of an undefeated streak in their pursuit of SEC supremacy.