"She had her way with us": Dawn Staley highlights silver lining for LSU in Aneesah Morrow following Tigers defeat to South Carolina

Dawn Staley and the South Carolina Gamecocks extended their winning streak to 14 games on Friday, beating the LSU Tigers 66-56 at Colonial Life Arena. Two players scored in double figures for the Gamecocks, as they handed LSU its first loss of the 2024-25 season.

The victory didn't come easy for the Gamecocks, who trailed by seven points in the first quarter. Aneesah Morrow showed why she is one of the best players in the country, posting her 93rd career double-double in the loss to South Carolina. She finished with 15 points and 16 boards.

In the postgame press conference, a reporter asked the South Carolina coach how the Gamecocks overcame the rebound discrepancy and limited the Tigers' second-chance opportunities when LSU got the offensive board.

"I thought we fought. I know Aneesah is a really, really hard guard. I told our team there isn’t anybody that we’ve played this year that’s going to play like she plays," Staley said (Timestamp 7:00). "I don’t think there’s going to be another person that plays like her.

"We were able to just fight and although we didn’t come up with the rebound, we knocked it out. Dead ball situations, where we can actually defend and try to box out again, but she had her way with us."

Dawn Staley praised her guards for doing their part in collecting the rebounds for second-ranked South Carolina.

"I thought our guards did a really good job at getting rebounding," Staley said. "If we didn’t get it, then we’re able to establish setting up our defense and trying it again. Fortunately for us, they didn’t score a whole lot off their second-chance points after maybe the first or second quarter."

Joyce Edwards and Sania Feagin deliver for Dawn Staley in the win over LSU

Dawn Staley had Joyce Edwards to thank for South Carolina's win over No.5 LSU. The freshman forward continued to step up in Ashlyn Watkins' absence, scoring 14 points on 5-for-11 shooting. It was the third straight game that Edwards led the Gamecocks in scoring. She is averaging 17.3 points during this stretch.

South Carolina Gamecocks forward Joyce Edwards (#8) drives past LSU Tigers forward Sa'Myah Smith (#5) in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Photo: Imagn

Sania Feagin also delivered for Dawn Staley, scoring 12 points in 36 minutes of action. She stuffed the stat sheet against the Tigers, recording seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

South Carolina will next play against Tennessee on Monday while LSU prepares to host Texas A&M on Sunday.