South Carolina's Ta'Niya Latson Leads Gamecocks to Sweet 16 Win

Latson scores game-high 28 points in first March Madness appearance with teammate Raven Johnson

Mar. 29, 2026 at 2:35am

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Ta'Niya Latson, a freshman guard for the top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks, led her team to a 94-68 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners in the Sweet 16 of the 2026 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Latson scored a game-high 28 points, including a perfect 4-of-4 from 3-point range and 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Latson's longtime friend and teammate, Raven Johnson, also contributed 18 points to the win.

Why it matters

Latson's standout performance in her first March Madness tournament showcases her talent and potential as a rising star in women's college basketball. The win also marks South Carolina's sixth consecutive appearance in the Elite Eight, further cementing the program's status as a national powerhouse.

The details

Latson set the tone early, scoring South Carolina's first five points of the game. By halftime, she had 18 points and finished the game shooting a perfect 4-of-4 from 3-point range and 10-of-10 from the free throw line. Latson and Johnson, who won three state championships and a national title together in high school, displayed their strong on-court chemistry throughout the game.

  • Latson scored a game-high 28 points in South Carolina's 94-68 win over Oklahoma on Saturday, March 29, 2026.

The players

Ta'Niya Latson

A freshman guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks who led the team to a Sweet 16 victory with a game-high 28 points.

Raven Johnson

A teammate of Latson's who finished with 18 points in the win over Oklahoma. The two guards have played together since high school, winning three state championships and a national title.

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who led the team to its sixth consecutive Elite Eight appearance.

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What they’re saying

“I was feeling really good tonight. I woke up on the right side of the bed. My teammates and my coaches, they believed in me so I just had to go out there with confidence and yeah, that was a game plan.”

— Ta'Niya Latson, South Carolina Gamecocks Guard

“I'm so happy when I see the ball go in for (Latson). All the things she's been through. I mean Ta'Niya (Latson) is a hard worker... We talk a lot, not just about basketball, about life things. And I think Ta'Niya, I think she deserves everything that's coming her way. And this is just the beginning.”

— Raven Johnson, South Carolina Gamecocks Guard

What’s next

South Carolina will face No. 3 TCU in the Elite Eight on Monday, April 1, 2026, as the Gamecocks seek to advance to the Final Four for the sixth time in program history.

The takeaway

Latson's dominant performance in her first March Madness tournament, combined with her strong chemistry with longtime teammate Raven Johnson, suggests that the South Carolina Gamecocks have a bright future ahead as they continue their quest for a national championship.