- Kenya’s basketball star Madina Okot propels South Carolina women’s Basketball team to a 10th SEC Championship, clinching the title with two games to spare in Columbia.
- On Sunday, February 22, she stole the spotlight as the third-ranked Gamecocks rolled past No. 17 Ole Miss, 85-48.
- Okot delivered a standout double-double, finishing with 17 points and 10 rebounds, helping South Carolina secure its fifth consecutive regular-season crown.
Kenya’s sensational basketball star Madina Okot has earned widespread acclaim after leading her South Carolina women’s basketball team to a 10th SEC Championship with two games to spare in Columbia.
Madina, affectionately known as “Big Mama” within the Gamecocks, has been an absolutely vital player this season.
On Sunday February 22, she was one of the headline acts when the third-ranked Gamecocks cruised past No. 17 Ole Miss, 85-48.
ALSO READ: Kenya’s Madina Okot shines as South Carolina Gamecocks avenge Texas Longhorns
The dominant win boosted their record to 26-2 overall and 13-1 in conference play, while securing the program’s fifth straight regular-season league crown- a 10th title since Dawn Staley took the reins back in 2008.
After grabbing a slim 20-16 lead in the first quarter, the Gamecocks exploded, outscoring the Rebels 46-18 on either side of halftime to build a commanding 66-34 advantage heading into the fourth.
Joyce Edwards, the SEC’s fourth-leading scorer, finished with a game-high 21 points, shooting 7-of-15 from the floor and sinking all seven of her free throw attempts.
Madina notched an impressive double-double, wrapping up the day with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Ta’Niya Latson chipped in 13 for the Gamecocks, who are now riding an eight-game winning streak.
Madina Okot wows Ole Miss earns high praise from Coach McPhee-McCuin
Reflecting on Okot’s performance, Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin who watched the 6-foot-6 center play for Mississippi State last year, was amazed by the new dimension she’s brought to her game for South Carolina.
When I saw her start making 3s I was like, ‘(expletive), it’s over for us,'” McPhee-McCuin said.
It’s one thing to have to battle with her around the basket. When she started to look like Steph Curry, I was like we might as well pack it up.”
Okot had just set a new personal best for single-game 3-pointers with two against Alabama on Feb. 19, but she shattered her own record just three days later.
She did not attempt a single 3-pointer last year, but has already taken 15 this season, draining eight of them.
Okot now boasts South Carolina’s second-highest 3-point percentage at .533, trailing only Alicia Tournebize at .667 (4 of 6).
I’m getting more confident… I’m just being me,” Okot said with a smile when asked if she now considers herself a 3-point shooter.
Meanwhile, her teammate and starting guard Ta’Niya Latson did not hesitate to give Okot her well-deserved props after the standout performance.
“Just seeing Madina shoot with confidence and have that same confidence in the paint, we know we’re going to win a game when she plays like that,” Latson said.
South Carolina Women’s Basketball coach Staley talks Okot’s impressive development
Back in October, coach Dawn Staley had already hinted at Okot’s growing range, mentioning she would end practices by shooting 3-pointers.
Staley noted that Okot and 6-7 forward/center Alicia Tournebize always hoist them up together after practice.
So when Okot arrived at South Carolina last spring, did she approach Staley about developing her outside shot, or was it the coach’s idea?
You want to put players in positions where they’re comfortable,” Staley explained. “Some people can be comfortable taking 3-pointers, but they’re not accurate. For Madina, she’s pretty accurate, and she was accurate when she first got here.”
Staley admitted she didn’t think much of it at first just another forward/post player who “wants to shoot 3s.
” But once she saw Okot could consistently knock them down, South Carolina became more intentional about creating those opportunities for her.
Okot often hangs back after inbounding the ball, so Staley encouraged her to look at the basket first and check her feet before automatically reversing the ball when she gets it at the top of the key.
“We’re licking our chops because I think she’s a lot more comfortable facing the basket… I think if you mix it up… if we can get her to take a few more shots outside or take some people off the dribble, we’re a better team for that,” Staley added.
Sunday’s victory wrapped up the Gamecocks’ regular-season home schedule in style.
Given another chance to clinch a title in front of their fans at a sold-out Colonial Life Arena with A’ja Wilson watching courtside they were not about to disappoint.
They showed exactly why Colonial Life Arena is arguably the toughest place to play in women’s basketball.