Dawn Staley on what South Carolina women’s basketball is missing before season opener

COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley said one of the biggest issues right now isn’t one she can necessarily fix in time for the season opener.

“Toughness and just playing faster, more often,” Staley said Monday after the Gamecocks defeated Division II Clayton State 126-42 in an exhibition game at Colonial Life Arena. “I think what we are lacking is getting out there in front of a crowd, playing someone other than our (practice players), we just need more experience and we probably won’t get that until next week this time, and hopefully we’ll have enough in the tank to win a basketball game at a neutral site.”

The season opener is Nov. 4 against Michigan in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena. The defending national champions won both exhibition games.

In general, South Carolina is adjusting to life without 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso, who led the Gamecocks with 14.4 points per game last season and was a first-round WNBA draft pick.

“Each team is trying to find their identity is and for us we are trying to figure it out without having a dominant big,” Staley said. “It looks a little different, feels a little different but collectively I like what we are bringing to the table, I like the fact that every single one of our (post players) is different than the other … I told them we are a united team … most nights you’re going to see it like … even minutes, even stat lines so it’s pretty cool, I hope we can hold onto that.”

The Gamecocks had six players score in double figures. Off the bench, sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley led the way with 24 points, and freshman forward Joyce Edwards had 20 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Senior forward Sania Feagin had eight points and nine rebounds.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin