Sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley took charge in No. 6 South Carolina’s dominant 95-55 win over Arkansas Thursday night. After a tough loss to No. 5 UConn, the Gamecocks needed a spark, and Fulwiley provided exactly that. Her play energized the team and the crowd, proving why she is one of the most exciting young players in college basketball.
MiLaysia Fulwiley’s Impact on South Carolina’s Victory
The sophomore guard scored 15 points—10 of which came in a crucial second-quarter stretch that helped South Carolina pull away. Off the bench, Fulwiley changed the game’s momentum with her quick drives and creative finishes at the rim. A 23-12 run in the last six minutes of the second quarter secured control for the Gamecocks.
After the game, Fulwiley joined “SEC Now” to discuss South Carolina’s approach. She emphasized the importance of finding the right shots and shared how she uses the “NBA 2K” video game to improve her court skills.
“I feel like I practiced that a lot in practice. My teammates—they always told me up the ball,” Fulwiley said.
At this point, coach Dawn Staley interrupted to praise her performance, saying, “Nasty work!”
Fulwiley continued, saying that she’d been waiting for the moment.
“They don’t really make regular passes to me. So when Coach drew it up, she was like, just jump up and get that thing. And I was like, ‘All right, I’ve been waiting for that,'” she explained. “So I decided that it went in because when I was in there, I was thinking like, ‘Oh my gosh, I got to make it.’ But we have to talk about the backdoor alley.”
In the post-game press conference, Fulwiley spoke about her growing confidence. When asked about how she felt on the court, she responded the she was ready for the moment.
“I was very confident compared to how confident I’ve been in the past. I feel like a lot of shots—well, a lot of layups—were falling for me, and I was just excited. It made me feel good about taking more layups, and my teammates pushed me through and gave me that confidence and that boost that I needed, so I’m just happy,” Fulwiley explained.
Arkansas head coach Mike Neighbors praised Fulwiley’s ability to disrupt the Razorbacks’ offense. When asked about his comments, she appreciated the recognition.
“Oh yes, definitely, that’s a compliment, actually. I take pride in my defense, and I work really hard on it, so just for him to say that means that people see it and people see that I’m really trying and I’m putting effort into it,” she said.
“So thank you to [the] Arkansas coach, and I’m just going to keep working on my defense each and every day. I feel like I’m guarding Raven in practice, Powell, some of the best players in college basketball, so they’re helping me get to where I am now.”
Fulwiley’s defensive performance was just as critical as her scoring. She helped shut down one of Arkansas’ top scorers and played with intensity on both ends of the floor.
MiLaysia Fulwiley Rising As A Star in College Basketball
Fulwiley’s electrifying plays have made her a standout in the SEC. It was her ninth game this season in which she scored at least 15 points, and her highlight reels continue to circulate on social media.
After the game, she credited her mindset for her performance. The sophomore’s growth has been evident throughout the season, and her ability to step up after a tough loss showed her resilience. With her combination of skill and confidence, she will continue to be a key player for South Carolina as they push toward the postseason.
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South Carolina’s next game is against Vanderbilt in Nashville on Sunday, where Fulwiley will look to build on this momentum and keep leading her team with her dynamic play.
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