South-Carolina
Will South Carolina, Dawn Staley give Vanderbilt, Mikayla Blakes first loss? Our prediction
COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball has a quick turnaround from a road upset to a top-5 matchup.
The No. 2 Gamecocks (19-2, 5-1 SEC) lost 94-82 to No. 16 Oklahoma in Norman on Jan. 22 and now hosts No. 4 Vanderbilt in Colonial Life Arena on Jan. 25 (3 p.m. ET, ESPN).
South Carolina lost one regular season SEC game last season but previously hadn’t lost one since the 2021-22 season.
The Commodores (20-0, 6-0) are one of two undefeated teams in Division I women’s basketball but the Gamecocks are looking for their second top-5 win this month.
Here’s what to know about Vanderbilt as coach Dawn Staley comes off her first loss to Oklahoma since 2007.
Mikayla Blakes leads DI basketball, Vanderbilt on offense
Mikayla Blakes is one of the most prolific scorers in women’s basketball, averaging 24.8 points per game (No. 2 in the country) to go with 4.5 assists. She is shooting 45.6% from the field and making 2.3 3-pointers per game.
The 5-foot-8 sophomore has five 30-point games this season. In the two losses to South Carolina last year she scored 19 and 20 points, respectively.
Aaliyah Chavez scored 15 points in overtime to single-handedly win it for Oklahoma which heightens the concern level for Staley’s defense against Blakes.
Blakes attacks the basket with both versatility and discipline and is fast and shifty with the ball. She requires a lot of energy on defense which means South Carolina can’t depend on Raven Johnson on offense as it has been.
If Johnson is locked into Blakes, the Gamecocks offense has to step up outside of their point guard to create flow and momentum without asking Johnson to do everything.
South Carolina’s guards have tall task with Vanderbilt
It isn’t just Blakes who South Carolina has to stop. Vandy freshman guard Aubrey Galvan is averaging 11.7 points and has scored 35 combined points across the last two games.
She has range from behind the arc and hit 3-of-6 in the win over Michigan to help Vanderbilt when Blakes was in foul trouble.
Vanderbilt deploys a guard heavy offense instead of playing through a center or forward like Oklahoma. Justine Pissott is a guard/forward also averaging 11.7 with 3.17 made 3-pointers per game (second in SEC).
All five Gamecocks have to defend, but this is a huge game for Tessa Johnson. If Raven Johnson has Blakes, Tessa Johnson will have to be on alert that Galvan can launch from deep.
When Agot Makeer comes in off the bench, her length will be crucial if it’s disruptive like it was against Texas’ Madison Booker.
Vanderbilt leads the SEC with 10.17 made 3-pointers per game, another reason why South Carolina guards have to stay tight to their player.
Why Alicia Tournebize could be key vs Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt’s tallest player is 6-4 forward Aiyana Mitchell. South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards is 6-3 and plays with 6-6 Madina Okot.
Okot had six points and three turnovers in the Oklahoma loss, and the two starters went a combined 6-of-21 from the floor. South Carolina missed 16-of-31 layups.
Against a team that runs through a guard, the point production has to have a rapid turnaround from the Oklahoma loss. Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph is smart and can make in-game adjustments but the height advantage for South Carolina has to be a reason to dominant inside.
Off the bench, Alicia Tournebize was arguably the best forward for Staley against Oklahoma, scoring nine points in 14 minutes on 4-of-6 shooting, but she’s still adjusting to how fouls are called at the college level. She sat for the fourth quarter and overtime with four.
Though it’s only her fourth game, the 6-7 player doesn’t just bring height but a creativity on offense and a versatile jump shot that could be a difference-maker if Okot and Edwards are struggling in the paint.
South Carolina vs Vanderbilt prediction
South Carolina 81, Vanderbilt 76: Gamecocks win with a quick turnaround and protect home court.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky@bylulukesin.bsky.social
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Contestants in the 2026 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen competitions will showcase their talents on Thursday at the Township Auditorium.
Miss South Carolina’s Teen’s Got Talent is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by Miss South Carolina’s Got Talent at 7 p.m.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina kicks off with preliminary rounds
The talent competitions are part of the weeklong Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization competition, which brings delegates from across the state to Columbia to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent South Carolina on the national stage.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina’s Teen preliminary round begins
Contestants competed in fitness, evening wear, and onstage question preliminaries on Wednesday, while Miss South Carolina’s Teen contestants completed their preliminary competition on Tuesday.
Preliminary winners include:
Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Jenna Huggins, Miss Clemson
- Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Mary Kimball Osborn, Miss Palmetto
- Chelby Drafts, Miss Golden Corner
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Teen Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Alissa Claire Rhodes, Miss Fox Creek High School’s Teen
- Kamryn Mathis, Miss Greer High School’s Teen
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
- Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, Miss Ballentine’s Teen
- Kursten Long, Miss Newberry’s Teen
The Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set for Friday night, while the Miss South Carolina finals will take place Saturday.
Watch the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition LIVE at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20. Tune in on WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, ABC 4 in Charleston, ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/Florence, and My40 in the Upstate.
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 17, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 17 drawing
03-26-49-53-61, Powerball: 12, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 17 drawing
Midday: 9-1-5, FB: 8
Evening: 9-0-2, FB: 2
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 17 drawing
Midday: 5-3-5-2, FB: 8
Evening: 0-4-1-5, FB: 2
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 17 drawing
Midday: 09
Evening: 11
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 17 drawing
08-11-12-27-40
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 17 drawing
10-17-44-63-67, Powerball: 24
Check Powerball Double Play 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.
COLUMBIA, SC (WMBF) – South Carolina is cracking down on nitrous oxide, banning its sale to minors and setting criminal penalties for violations.
The new law (S. 751), which Gov. Henry McMaster signed on May 18, prohibits the sale of nitrous oxide and nitrous oxide products to anyone under 18, and retailers must require identification to verify customers’ ages.
Retailers are also prohibited from selling flavored nitrous oxide products or marketing nitrous oxide for recreational use. Tobacco retailers are banned from selling nitrous oxide products entirely.
The law aims to prevent the recreational misuse of nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide is a colorless gas with several legitimate uses, such as medical applications as laughing gas, pressurizing whipped cream canisters, and boosting automotive engine performance, all of which remain legal under the new law.
However, when used recreationally, it can cause a brief euphoric and dissociative effect and is sometimes abused through small cartridges originally designed for whipped cream dispensers.
Prolonged or heavy use can cause oxygen deprivation, nerve damage (B12 depletion) and, in extreme cases, death.
Since McMaster signed the bill, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has begun implementing inspections and enforcement actions.
Penalties for violations
Illegal possession or distribution of nitrous oxide is now a misdemeanor.
- First offense: A fine up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment up to six months
- Second offense: A fine up to $5,000 and/or up to one year in prison
- Subsequent offenses: A fine up to $10,000 and/or three years in prison
Businesses violating the law may also face administrative penalties, including suspension or revocation of licenses or permits.
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Copyright 2026 WMBF. All rights reserved.
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