South-Carolina
South Carolina women's basketball: Five Things to Watch – #19 Alabama
South Carolina women’s basketball hits the road for a Top-25 matchup against Alabama. Find out how to watch and what to watch for.
1. Keep grinding
With all due respect, Alabama is the least glamorous opponent in South Carolina’s stretch of five consecutive ranked opponents. That doesn’t make the Crimson Tide any less dangerous, and that’s why the SEC is so challenging.
Part of the challenge is the different styles. Texas only took five three-pointers in the entire game Sunday. Alabama might take that many by the first media timeout.
This is where depth, and the versatility it provides, is an asset.
Against Texas, Dawn Staley leaned heavily on her more experienced players. Maryam Dauda and Adhel Tac played just nine total minutes, and Sakima Walker and Maddy McDaniel didn’t play at all.
Against Alabama’s four-out lineup, it would be surprising if McDaniel sits again. Plus, Staley would probably rather not play Raven Johnson and Sania Feagin over 30 minutes again.
“We use it to our advantage, obviously, by playing a lot of players,” Staley said. “They all deserve to be on the floor. Some of them that don’t play probably deserve a little bit more. It helps in the whole longevity of a season.”
WIN TICKETS: Kim Mulkey and undefeated LSU are coming to Columbia on Jan. 23
2. Feagin
Speaking of Feagin, she was outstanding last week. Arguably, nobody did more last week to step up in Ashlyn Watkins’ absence. But that was just one week. There are eight more to go (plus the postseason).
Will Feagin continue to play that well? South Carolina’s national championship aspirations might depend on it.
3. Streaks
Something’s got to give. Alabama is riding a 14-game home winning streak and hasn’t lost in Tuscaloosa in over a year. With all due respect, South Carolina’s streak is more impressive.
Staley is 22-0 against Alabama. The Crimson Tide is the only SEC team (not counting newbies Texas and Oklahoma) that has never beaten Staley.
The series hasn’t been particularly close, either. The average score of those 22 games is 75.4 to 54.0, an average margin of victory of more than 21 points. Alabama only came within single digits once, a 62-59 loss in 2019 in Columbia. Ten wins have been by 20 or more, including three by at least 40.
Since you asked, South Carolina was 10-15 against Alabama before Staley’s arrival.
WIN TICKETS: Help introduce No. 13 Oklahoma to the SEC and South Carolina women’s basketball
4. Availability Report
South Carolina’s availability report Wednesday night was as clean as it will be for the rest of the season. Only Ashlyn Watkins (OUT) was listed.
The only Alabama player listed was guard Sarah Ashlee Barker, who was Questionable. Barker was also listed as Questionable on Sunday against Ole Miss but didn’t play. She has been out since suffering a leg injury against Florida on Jan. 2, and Alabama coach Kristi Curry recently described Barker as “day-to-day.”
Get the free GamecocksW newsletter: Don’t rely on search engines and social media for your South Carolina women’s basketball info
5. Scouting the Crimson Tide
Alabama has managed a 3-1 league record without Barker thanks to the play of Zaay Green and Aaliyah Nye. Green averages 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists. Nye averages 14.8 points and is coming off a career-high 32 points against Ole Miss.
Nye is one of the top three-point shooters in the country. She went 7-11 against Ole Miss, her third game this season with at least seven threes. Nye leads the country in that category and is third in threes per game (3.6) while hitting 44.8% from behind the arc.
As a team, Alabama hits 38% from three. Sophomore Essence Cody holds down the paint, averaging 10.3 points and a team-high 6.6 rebounds. Without Barker, though, Alabama doesn’t have much help for Cody on the boards.
“They’re well-coached; they always have great guard play,” Staley said. “They can shoot the ball. If they’re allowed to make what they’re comfortably taking each game, we’re in trouble. (It’s a) hard place to play, so for us it’s just our habits. It’s just packing our habits and, hopefully, guard the three-point line and guard the paint.”
Visit GamecockCentral’s exclusive Gamecocks-only, no-trolls message board!
The Ws
Who: #2 South Carolina (16-1, 4-0) at #19 Alabama (16-2, 3-1)
When: 7 p.m. ET, Thursday, January 16
Where: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Watch: SEC Network+
Discuss South Carolina women’s basketball on The Insiders Forum!
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – A ceremonial bill signing was held We Wednesday for a new law that enhances penalties for harming police animals in South Carolina.
H.3034 – also known as Fargo’s, Hyco’s, Rico’s, Coba’s, Wick’s, Mikka’s, and Bumi’s Law – was passed and ratified by state lawmakers in May.
The bill is named after seven police K-9’s lost in recent years acros South Carolina.
Gov. Henry McMaster later signed the bill into law, with it going into effect on May 15.
The law makes killing or severely injuring a police animal, such as a K-9 or horse, punishable by up to 15 years in prison.
It also states that anyone convicted of that crime must pay back the full cost of the animal – including buying a new one, training and any veterinarian bills. The law also makes it a crime to fire at a police vehicle if an animal is inside.
Police are also required by law to keep detailed records when a K-9 bites or causes injury.
Feel more informed, prepared, and connected with WIS. For more free content like this, subscribe to our email newsletter, and download our apps. Have feedback that can help us improve? Click here.
Copyright 2026 WIS. All rights reserved.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 2 drawing
15-26-43-48-60, Mega Ball: 12
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 8-7-6, FB: 6
Evening: 3-8-3, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 2-8-6-6, FB: 6
Evening: 7-1-4-4, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 2 drawing
Midday: 02
Evening: 06
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 2 drawing
01-04-05-07-34
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
South-Carolina
South Carolina store owner found not guilty of murder in fatal shooting of Black teen
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Chikei Rick Chow has been found not guilty by a South Carolina jury on murder charges in the shooting death of a Black 14-year-old in Columbia.
Chow was charged in the May 28, 2023, shooting death of Cyrus Carmack-Belton outside Chow’s Shell gas station on Parklane Road.
Carmack-Belton ran from the store while being chased by Chow and his son, according to prosecutors.
Authorities said the pair pursued the teen after accusing him of stealing four bottles of water from the store.
Chow shot Carmack-Belton once in the back after his son claimed the teen had a gun. He was arrested the following day.
In November 2025, a judge denied Rick Chow immunity under South Carolina’s Stand Your Ground law and also denied bond, ruling the 60-year-old store owner was a danger to the community and a flight risk.
The ruling came after prosecutors presented surveillance video and photos in court showing Carmack-Belton running from the store. Authorities said the allegation of theft was not supported by surveillance video.
Chow has served three years in prison.
The unanimous decision came Monday evening after eight hours of deliberation.
-
South Dakota2 minutes agoTornado watch in effect as severe storms target South Dakota
-
Tennessee5 minutes agoTennessee Baseball Breakout Star Announces He Won’t Enter the Transfer Portal
-
Texas10 minutes agoCentral Texas soldier dies in Iraq during training incident, Department of Defense says
-
Utah17 minutes agoNew program at University of Utah aims to keep up with growing Utah industry
-
Vermont20 minutes agoVermont seeks dynamic pricing for state park access
-
Virginia25 minutes agoWest Virginia commit announces decision by blasting ‘Country Roads,’ lighting a couch on fire
-
Washington32 minutes agoSteelers Sign TE Darnell Washington to Four-Year Extension
-
Wisconsin35 minutes agoWisconsin DNR reminding ATV and UTV drivers that more wardens will be out this weekend
