South Carolina's Raven Johnson brings energy in March Madness beatdown of Tennessee Tech
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina guard Raven Johnson is in her prime in this NCAA women's Tournament.
Johnson, once again, produced on the game’s biggest stage as the top-seeded Gamecocks thoroughly routed No. 16 Tennessee Tech108-48 on Friday.
The 5-foot-9 junior scored 8 points and added 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals in the win, which sent the Gamecocks to a second-round matchup against No. 9 Indiana on Sunday. Joyce Edwards led all scorers with 22 points with MiLaysia Fulwiley adding 15, Tessa Johnson chipping in 11 and Chloe Kitts putting up 10.
Last year, Johnson netted 14 points in the Sweet 16 and 13 points in the Final Four en route to the Gamecocks wining their third national championship under head coach Dawn Staley.
Statistically, Johnson has had a down year in terms of point production, averaging just 4.9 points in the regular season. But that has not stopped her from being one of the most critical pieces of the Gamecocks’ game plan.
“My mindset is we just have to win,” she said before Friday’s game. “I have got to help my team win by any means necessary. I don’t start, so I get to see a lot of things happening before I get in.”
Early in Friday’s game, Tennessee Tech had no idea what hit them as Johnson, on back-to-back plays, ripped shots out of the hands of Tennessee Tech shooters before finding Kitts under the basket on otherworldly passes.
“We got pieces, we got threats, we got guards that actually get down. I feel like we do all the little things," Johnson said. "We do whatever it takes to win."
Andy Mathis is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina women's basketball goes beast mode in March Madness win
Topics
-
Edwards leads No. 1 seed South Carolina to 108-48 win over Tennessee Tech to start March Madness
Freshman Joyce Edwards scored 22 points in her first women's NCAA Tournament game as No. 1 seed South Carolina powered to a 108-48 victory over Tennessee Tech on FridayABC News - 7h -
South Carolina vs Tennessee Tech prediction in March Madness: Prediction for 2025 NCAA opener
It's South Carolina vs Tennessee Tech in the first round of the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament. Here’s our prediction for the March Madness basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Edwards leads No. 1 seed South Carolina to 108-48 win over Tennessee Tech to start March Madness
Freshman Joyce Edwards scored 22 points in her first women's NCAA Tournament game as No. 1 seed South Carolina began its run at a second straight national title with a 108-48 victory over Tennessee ...Yahoo Sports - 9h -
Women's March Madness 2025: South Carolina's historic win over Tennessee Tech, by the numbers
The Gamecocks got their title defense started with a 60-point winCBS Sports - 7h -
Here's why South Carolina women’s basketball can, or can't, repeat as national champions
It’s South Carolina vs Tennessee Tech in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
How South Carolina's home-state heroes showed out in Women's March Madness opener
The South Carolina women's basketball duo of Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley combined for 37 points in their win to open March Madness.Yahoo Sports - 7h -
Dawn Staley's dog gets unexpected gift from Women's March Madness opponent
Tennessee Tech women's basketball coach Kim Rosamond arrived ready for March Madness, including a nameplate for South Carolina coach Dawn Staley's dog.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
South Carolina vs. Tennessee Tech: How to watch the women's NCAA tournament game today
No. 1 South Carolina plays No. 16 Tennessee Tech today in today's NCAA women's basketball tournament, here's how to watch.Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Barack Obama March Madness bracket: Former President picks Dawn Staley, South Carolina to win
Former President Barack Obama released his men's and women's March Madness brackets on Thursday, with South Carolina winning the women's side. Here's more:Yahoo Sports - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Mike Tyson leads tributes to George Foreman after heavyweight great’s death
The former world champion has died at the age of 76Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Williams team fined 50,000 euros for not recording onboard video
Williams has been fined 50,000 euros ($54,000) by the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix stewards on Saturday due to a communication error. The penalty relates to the Williams team's failure to capture ...Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Fight to land Beyonce and Taylor Swift is sport’s new battleground
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not your typical Taylor Swift or Beyoncé fan. The Manchester United co-owner is more likely to be caught relaxing on his private jet to the works of Mozart than dad-dancing to ...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Nebraska sees season end following loss to Louisville in opening round of NCAA Tournament
The Huskers faced off against Louisville in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Following a low-scoring battle, Nebraska fell to the Cardinals.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
What channel is New York Rangers vs Vancouver Canucks on today? Time, TV, streaming
Here's how to watch the Rangers game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information.Yahoo Sports - 28m
More in Sports
-
Mike Tyson leads tributes to George Foreman after heavyweight great’s death
The former world champion has died at the age of 76Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Williams team fined 50,000 euros for not recording onboard video
Williams has been fined 50,000 euros ($54,000) by the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix stewards on Saturday due to a communication error. The penalty relates to the Williams team's failure to capture ...Yahoo Sports - 25m -
Fight to land Beyonce and Taylor Swift is sport’s new battleground
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is not your typical Taylor Swift or Beyoncé fan. The Manchester United co-owner is more likely to be caught relaxing on his private jet to the works of Mozart than dad-dancing to ...Yahoo Sports - 28m -
Nebraska sees season end following loss to Louisville in opening round of NCAA Tournament
The Huskers faced off against Louisville in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Following a low-scoring battle, Nebraska fell to the Cardinals.Yahoo Sports - 28m -
What channel is New York Rangers vs Vancouver Canucks on today? Time, TV, streaming
Here's how to watch the Rangers game, including time, TV schedule and streaming information.Yahoo Sports - 28m