Dawn Staley reveals why Sania Feagin is 1 of her favorite players after Gamecocks stun LSU: "Stuck with us when it's so much easier to leave"

Dawn Staley talked about the importance of Sania Feagin on the roster after South Carolina defeated LSU 66-56 on Friday. As Joyce Edwards led scoring with 14 points, Feagin added 12 points, a team-high seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

Staley praised the 6-foot-3 forward's gradual progress over the years, highlighting her ability to score, pass, hold the paint and communicate on the court.

"Fagan is probably one of my more favorite players only because she stuck with us in a time and day when it's so much easier to just leave," Dawn Staley said (Timestamp: 9:22). "She could have been starting for someone else ... This is what her best effort looks like on a consistent basis."

"It's intuitiveness, the loyalty and her parents are great people who wanted her to play more... at the end of the day they knew the talent that their daughter had and they knew that if they if she stayed here that we were going to pull it out of her, we're not going to just give her... I think she's going to put herself in a real good position to play at the next level."

Sania Feagin, currently in her last year of eligibility, is putting up the best numbers of her career. She is averaging 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks on 58.3% shooting. This is also the first time she has started all games.

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Dawn Staley targeted Aneesah Morrow and Flau'jae Johnson early in the game

Dawn Staley had her players target Flau'jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow early on the offensive end, hoping to get them tired as early as possible. The strategy was a big reason behind Sania Feagin's season-high 36 minutes of action.

The coach confirmed the scheme in the post-game conference, highlighting Kim Mulkey's rotation preference.

"That's part of it, keep pushing the ball down the floor keep, making them work hard for catches," Dawn Staley said (Timestamp: 10:58).

"They play six or seven players and you have to use that against them. They're that talented that if you allow them to rest on defense, they have more energy to take advantage of you on offense. So, yes, that was part of the game plan."

Flau'jae Johnson scored 13 points and four rebounds on 6-of-18 shooting while Aneesah Morrow continued her double-double endeavors with 15 points and 16 rebounds.