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Latson leads new-look No. 2 South Carolina to opening blowout over Grand Canyon 94-54

Byline: Pete Iacobelli

Latson leads new-look No. 2 South Carolina to opening blowout over Grand Canyon 94-54 | iNFOnews.ca
South Carolina guard Ta'Niya Latson, right, drives to the basket against Grand Canyon guard Chloe Mann, left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Ta’Niya Latson scored 20 points in her South Carolina debut to lead the second-ranked Gamecocks to a 94-54 victory over Grand Canyon to start the season Monday night.

It was the 15th straight opening victory under coach Dawn Staley and Latson, who led the country in scoring at Florida State last season, was front and center. She scored the game’s opening bucket, then had a nifty drive for a layup a few moments later as the Gamecocks (1-0) took a 7-0 lead in the win over the overmatched Lopes (0-1).

South Carolina was up double digits less than five minutes in and gradually built the lead to 60-31 at the break. The Gamecocks kept pushing throughout as Staley looked for the right combination on her 10-woman roster that includes four newcomers, including Latson.

Staley played all 10 on a roster shortened by a season-long injury to Southeastern Conference tournament MVP Chloe Kitts, Ashlyn Watkins decision to withdraw from school to continue her injury rehab and MiLaysia Fulwiley’s transfer to LSU.

None of that mattered against Grand Canyon, who struggled to keep up with the faster, taller Gamecocks.

The news wasn’t all bad for Grand Canyon. First-year coach Winston Gandy and assistant Chloe Rice were given Southeastern Conference championship rings in a pregame ceremony for their time on the Gamecocks and Chloe Mann had a pair of four-point plays in the second quarter.

Ale’jah Douglas led the Lopes with 16 points.

Tessa Johnson added 19 points for South Carolina, which figures to have a tougher time in next year’s opener. As part of a Paris double-header, the Gamecocks will start the 2026-27 season in the City of Lights against Maryland.

Up next

Grand Canyon opens its home season against Idaho State on Saturday night.

South Carolina plays at home against Bowling Green on Friday night.

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Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

Latson leads new-look No. 2 South Carolina to opening blowout over Grand Canyon 94-54 | iNFOnews.ca
South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) pushes the ball upcourt ahead of Grand Canyon guard Ines Zounia during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Latson leads new-look No. 2 South Carolina to opening blowout over Grand Canyon 94-54 | iNFOnews.ca
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, right, talks to guard Raven Johnson (25) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Grand Canyon in Columbia, S.C., Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Latson leads new-look No. 2 South Carolina to opening blowout over Grand Canyon 94-54 | iNFOnews.ca
Grand Canyon head coach Winston Gandy reacts to a call during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Latson leads new-look No. 2 South Carolina to opening blowout over Grand Canyon 94-54 | iNFOnews.ca
South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against Grand Canyon guard Sifa Ineza during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

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The Associated Press

Pete Iacobelli

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

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