Dawn Staley highlights MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson's game, says South Carolina couldn't beat LSU without them

Dawn Staley had huge praise for sophomore guards MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson after South Carolina defeated LSU 66-56 at Colonial Life Arena on Friday. The coach appreciated her bench players in the post-game interview, saying that the entire cast is full of players with the caliber to start in college.

With that, she noted Fulwiley and Johnson's contributions in the 2024 SEC championship rematch, highlighting their instrumental role in the Gamecocks' win.

"I always tell our bench, 'You're the number one bench in the country. Only you have that number beside you,'" she said."And they could go other places and start but I got to let them know what they mean to our team. We don't win without the contributions in the first half, of MiLaysia Fulwiley, we don't win." [11:40]

"She had it going on, she was getting to the bucket, she was assisting and then you come back and Tessa hits the biggest shot of the game, to me. The baseline out of bounds, huge, when they were mounting a comeback."

Dawn Staley's reserves outscored the Tigers 31-2. All of MiLaysia Fulwiley's eight points came in the first half. While she only scored two during the high-octane first quarter, her six points helped the Gamecocks when the two teams battled for the lead in the second quarter.

Tessa Johnson made a go-ahead 3-pointer off an assist by Te-Hina Paopao in the second quarter. She blocked Shayeann Day-Wilson's fastbreak in the fourth quarter, immediately cutting for a layup on the other end of the court.

In the ending minutes, Johnson pump faked Flau'jae Johnson off on an out-of-bounds play and sank a jumper to extend South Carolina's lead to 10.

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Dawn Staley says Joyce Edwards will be the best player in college basketball

After Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks offense with 14 points in 19 minutes off the bench on 5 of 11 shooting, Dawn Staley commended her natural drive and hard work. She also said that the freshman will most likely become the best player in the college circuit at some point in her career.

"I'mma put it out there Joyce is going to be the best player in college basketball one day," she said. [12:35]

"I say that only because of her work ethic and her intellect and her want. She's highly motivated, I don't know if that's what she wants to do but she's very Aliyah (Boston) like when it comes to what she pours into her game. So a lot of times basketball will repay you in in such a way that you become the best player in the country."

With that, Dawn Staley commends Joyce Edwards' awareness on both ends of the court, courage to take on tough assignments and inclination to make the right play every time.