South Carolina's women's basketball team pulled away in the second half to beat Alabama 83-57 in their SEC conference opener on January 1, 2026. With starting point guard Ta’Niya Latson sidelined by injury, freshman Agot Makeer filled in effectively at the start. The Gamecocks, now 14-1, improved to 1-0 in conference play against the previously unbeaten Crimson Tide.
The game took place at 2 p.m. ET at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina, and was streamed on SEC Network+. South Carolina entered with a 13-1 record after a 96-55 win over Providence on December 28, while Alabama was 14-0 following a strong non-conference schedule that included Quad 1 and Quad 2 opponents.
Freshman guard Agot Makeer started in place of the injured Latson and contributed nine points on 2-for-2 shooting from three-point range, along with four rebounds, one block, and one steal. Her defensive presence was notable, though her stats understated her impact. Teammate Raven Johnson praised her: “For a freshman, I think her IQ is elite. I feel like we really weren’t missing a beat, but she brings something different to the table.”
The Gamecocks missed Latson's scoring and playmaking during offensive lulls, particularly in pick-and-roll sets with forward Madina Okot, who struggled in the game. Coach Dawn Staley opted not to start reserve point guard Maddy McDaniel to avoid disrupting rotations but noted it was McDaniel's best performance of the season, with six points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals. McDaniel showed confidence and aggression on the court.
South Carolina used their depth to outscore Alabama significantly after halftime, securing the win in their first conference game of the season.
