Madina Okot finds home as her South Carolina women's team heads to Sweet 16
Madina Okot dominated through the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. It’s nothing new: She finished the regular season averaging a double-double.
COLUMBIA, SC – South Carolina center Madina Okot has had a long journey to the Women’s NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks are glad she’s made it. Okot dominated through the first two rounds, averaging 15 points and 11.
5 rebounds. It’s nothing new: She finished the regular season averaging a double-double. Her 6-foot-6 frame and powerful defensive and rebounding presence will be even more crucial as South Carolina faces elite inside players such as Oklahoma’s Raegan Beers, whom they’ll meet in the Sweet 16.
Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, calls Okot “my backbone on the court. ” The last time the Gamecocks took the court against Oklahoma, on Jan. 22 in Norman, Oklahoma, Okot was in a midseason slump.
The matchup did not help, and she was removed from the starting lineup after scoring six points and grabbing four rebounds. The Gamecocks lost the game in overtime, 94-82. Head coach Dawn Staley believed the young star needed to get out of the spotlight to find her rhythm.