In her NCAA Tournament debut, freshman Joyce Edwards delivered an impressive performance, leading the No. 1 seed South Carolina Gamecocks to a decisive 108-48 victory over Tennessee Tech. Coming off the bench, Edwards scored a game-high 22 points in just 20 minutes of play, contributing 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.
Edwards’ 22-point effort marked her fifth game this season with 20 or more points. She became only the sixth Gamecock freshman to achieve a 20-point game in NCAA Tournament history, with her performance being the highest by a freshman since Alaina Coates’ 22-point game in the 2014 Sweet 16.
The Gamecocks’ bench, featuring Edwards, was particularly effective, outscoring Tennessee Tech’s entire team with 66 points. This performance set a new record for the most bench points in an NCAA Tournament game.
Head coach Dawn Staley praised Edwards’ adaptability and readiness, noting her ability to adjust to various game situations and contribute significantly whenever called upon.
Edwards’ standout debut underscores her potential and adds to the Gamecocks’ momentum as they continue their pursuit of a second consecutive national title.
