South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards, left, forward Maryam Dauda (30) and guard Bree Hall (23) celebrate with guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) after Fulwiley hit a three-pointer against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Fulwiley keys fast start for No. 2 South Carolina in 101-60 rout of No. 13 Oklahoma

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 15 points and dominated early with her athleticism as No. 2 South Carolina pounded No. 13 Oklahoma 101-60 on Sunday.

Fulwiley finished an acrobatic midair assist from Raven Johnson, swiped a ball near Oklahoma’s bench that she turned into a one-handed, over-the-head feed to Bree Hall for a layup, and sunk a 30-foot 3-pointer to beat the buzzer — all in the first quarter.

The Gamecocks (18-1, 6-0 Southeastern Conference) outscored the Sooners (15-4, 3-3) 28-9 in the opening period and never looked back.

Sooners All-America center Raegan Beers, listed as a game-time decision, started and finished with 23 points and eight rebounds. Payton Verhulst, coming off a 38-point game in a win over Missouri, only scored three.

Joyce Edwards led South Carolina with 17 points.

South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards (8) and guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) battle Oklahoma center Beatrice Culliton, right, for a loose ball during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, two days after signing a contract that makes her the highest-paid coach in the history of women’s basketball, stretched her streaks to 53 straight SEC regular-season wins and 68 straight wins at Colonial Life Arena.

Takeaways

Oklahoma: The Sooners tried to run past the Gamecocks in transition before figuring out it played right into South Carolina’s hands.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks are three games through a five-game stretch against ranked opponents. They have won them all by an average of 25.3 points.

Key moment

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley reacts to a call during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Oklahoma in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Maryam Dauda made a 3-pointer to give South Carolina a 16-6 lead in the first quarter. It was only her fourth 3 of the year and it signaled a long day ahead for Oklahoma.

Key stat

The Sooners are the worst team in the SEC at turning the ball over. Their 22 giveaways on Sunday led to 32 South Carolina points.

Up next

Oklahoma: Hosts Georgia next Sunday.

Oklahoma forward Sahara Williams, right, drives against South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards (8) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

South Carolina: Hosts No. 5 LSU on Thursday.

South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards, center, battles Oklahoma guard Payton Verhulst (12) and center Beatrice Culliton (0) for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards (8) shoots against Oklahoma during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) drives past Oklahoma guard Lexy Keys during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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