Joyce Edwards scored 27 points with eight rebounds as No. 1 seed South Carolina dominated 16th-seeded Southern 103-34 in the NCAA Tournament opener. The Gamecocks (32-3) opened with a 15-0 run and never looked back, winning their 17th consecutive home NCAA tournament game. Edwards was relentless down low, making 11 of 14 shots in the blowout victory.

South Carolina's dominance was on full display as they outscored Southern 32-2 in the third quarter after building a 25-point halftime lead. Teammate Ta'Niya Latson added 17 points while Madina Okot and Agot Makeer each scored 15. The Gamecocks' 103 points marked their second-highest total in NCAA Tournament history, just five shy of last year's 108-point opener against Tennessee Tech.

Coach Dawn Staley's team hadn't played since their SEC Tournament loss to Texas on March 8, and Edwards acknowledged they were "a little rusty initially" before finding their rhythm. The victory sets up a second-round matchup against either Clemson or Southern California on Monday. Southern, coming off a First Four win over Samford, was led by Jocelyn Tate's 10 points as they faced the daunting task of containing South Carolina's talented roster.