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Gamecock: South Carolina Dominates Auburn, Sets SEC Record with 70th Straight Home Win

By James Seidel | CC News Sports

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gamecock Freshman Joyce Edwards led the charge with 18 points, and Chloe Kitts added 13 points and nine rebounds as No. 2 South Carolina extended its dominance at Colonial Life Arena, defeating Auburn 83-66 on Sunday.

The victory marked a historic milestone for the Gamecocks, setting a new SEC record with their 70th consecutive home win. The game was also a special moment for South Carolina legend A’ja Wilson, whose No. 22 jersey was officially retired in a ceremony honoring the 2017 national champion and three-time WNBA MVP.

Auburn (11-11, 2-7 SEC) kept things tight early, tying the game at 27 midway through the second quarter. However, Kitts took control, sparking a 13-3 Gamecocks run that put South Carolina (21-1, 9-0 SEC) back in command.

With the win, South Carolina extended its SEC regular-season winning streak to 56 games and defeated Auburn for the 13th consecutive time.

Game Leaders & Standout Performances

Joyce Edwards (South Carolina) – 18 points, team-high in scoring for the 10th time this season.
MiLaysia Fulwiley (South Carolina) – 17 points, 12th double-digit scoring game of the year.
Chloe Kitts (South Carolina) – 13 points, 9 rebounds, pivotal in the Gamecocks’ second-quarter surge.
Raven Johnson (South Carolina) – Career-high 6 steals, 7 assists, and 9 points.
DeYona Gaston (Auburn) – Game-high 31 points, a dominant individual effort in a losing cause.

Key Takeaways

Defensive Dominance: The Gamecocks set the tone early, grabbing 10 first-half steals and finishing with 16 total—the second-most in a game this season.
Second-Quarter Surge: Kitts scored seven of her 13 points in the second quarter, including a clutch 3-pointer that put South Carolina ahead for good.
Bench Contributions: Bree Hall provided a spark in the fourth quarter, going perfect from beyond the arc (2-for-2) and finishing with 10 points, her SEC season-high.
Clutch Fourth Quarter: Fulwiley scored six points in an 18-7 run that pushed the Gamecocks’ lead beyond 20.

A’ja Wilson Honored

Wilson, who led South Carolina to its first national championship in 2017, was celebrated throughout the game. Her highlights played on the video board during breaks, and fans honored her with standing ovations.

Since January 2021, a statue of Wilson has stood outside the arena, symbolizing her impact on Gamecock basketball. Sunday’s jersey retirement solidified her status as one of the greatest players in program history.

Looking Ahead

The Gamecocks remain undefeated in SEC play and will look to continue their dominant streak when they face their next conference opponent later this week.

Stay with CC News Sports for full coverage of South Carolina basketball and all the latest updates from the SEC.