When Dawn Staley said, “Everything’s not broken. It really isn’t. We just got to get back to our good habits, playing the way we need to play,” after a loss against UConn, she meant every word. After UConn snapped the Gamecocks’ historic 71-game home win streak, Staley remained confident in her squad—just in need of a reset. And against Arkansas, that reset came in the form of MiLaysia Fulwiley.

For those who have followed South Carolina closely, Fulwiley’s talent has never been in question. But against Arkansas, she was so phenomenal that even she admitted it was something new. “I was very confident (tonight) compared to how confident I’ve been in the past,” Fulwiley said postgame. That newfound confidence, combined with Staley’s trust in her bench, made all the difference.

When the Gamecocks were holding a slim 21-16 lead early in the second quarter, Fulwiley went on a tear. She had 10 of her 15 points in a crucial 23-12 run that gave South Carolina full control. After witnessing her true dominance on the court, even the opposing team’s head coach couldn’t resist acknowledging it. “Must be nice to bring her off the bench,” he shared.

As she slashed through defenders, finished layups, and knocked down timely shots, the crowd erupted. This was the kind of performance Staley had been waiting for. “She’s growing. She really is growing,” Staley said. “She’s more active in practice, she’s using her voice… It’s always a good thing when a player starts utilizing their voice and understanding their power.”

Fulwiley finished with 15 points and four rebounds, but she wasn’t the only player off the bench making an impact. Freshman Joyce Edwards led the team with 18 points, scoring 11 in a dominant third quarter. Junior Bree Hall also achieved a season-high 14 points, including two early three-pointers to set the game’s tone.

Freshman Tessa Johnson contributed two fourth-quarter three-pointers and a career-high six assists, while junior Maryam Dauda, facing her former team, was close to a double-double with nine points and eight rebounds.

And that was how one of the best benches in the nation accounted for 56 of the team’s 95 points. “We just got to get back to our good habits,” Staley emphasized after the loss to UConn. No doubt, Staley and her strategies played a significant role in the Gamecocks’ resurgence.

Despite a comeback, a major challenge awaits Dawn Staley before Gamecocks reach March Madness

After the Gamecocks’ tough 83-65 loss to UConn, Dawn Staley’s squad looked far more in sync against Arkansas. They bounced back with improved shooting and rebounding. Against Arkansas, South Carolina shot 45.1% from the field and 44.4% from three.

This was a major improvement compared to their performance against UConn, where they managed just 37.7% overall and a rough 17.6% from deep. Staley, unable to believe the disparity in stats, voiced her frustration: “The team that took the floor against UConn really wasn’t our team.” However, the biggest difference came on the boards.

After being out-rebounded 48-29 against the Huskies, South Carolina dominated Arkansas with a 57-28 advantage. Notably, this included an impressive 23 offensive rebounds. That rebounding edge fueled their transition game, leading to 33 fast-break points—a major improvement from just 14 against UConn.

All these adjustments Staley made have reinforced the team as a top contender heading into March Madness. With a 24-3 overall record, the Gamecocks are now No. 2 in the SEC. Fulwiley and company still hold a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament’s first in-season reveal of the top 16, keeping them in position to host a postseason home game.

However, despite their recent win against Arkansas, South Carolina sits at No. 2, just below UConn in the NCAA NET rankings. Texas and LSU are looking unstoppable and the Gamecocks have work to do in the SEC battle.