Game Preview: Mississippi Visits South Carolina in SEC Showdown COLUMBIA, S.C. (Interstat) — The top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, riding a nine-game winning streak, will host the Mississippi Rebels in a marquee Southeastern Conference women’s basketball clash on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, at Colonial Life Arena. South Carolina (26-2, 14-1 SEC), the perennial national powerhouse, has been dominant in conference play. Its only league loss came in overtime at Oklahoma on Jan. 22. The Gamecocks are coming off a commanding 76-57 road win at Alabama on Thursday, where forward Joyce Edwards scored 23 points. Edwards, a sophomore star, has been a consistent force, averaging 20.4 points over her last seven games. Mississippi (21-7, 10-5) aims to rebound from a tough 78-70 home loss to LSU on Thursday. The Rebels’ fortunes hinge heavily on the explosive play of guard Cotie McMahon. The senior is in the midst of a spectacular scoring run, averaging 24.6 points over her last seven contests. This includes a 39-point, 5-assist outburst in a win over Tennessee on Feb. 17. This matchup pits one of the nation’s most potent offenses against its stingiest defense. Mississippi, led by McMahon’s hot hand, averages 78.2 points per game in SEC play. South Carolina counters with the conference’s top-rated defense, allowing just 54.8 points per game against league opponents. The Gamecocks have won their SEC home games this season by an average margin of 38.6 points. The Rebels will need McMahon’s high-level production and improved defensive focus to challenge the deep and physical Gamecocks. South Carolina’s balanced attack, featuring Edwards and center Madina Okot (16 points, 4 blocks vs. Alabama), presents a multifaceted problem for any opponent. A Mississippi victory would represent a signature road win and solidify its standing as a top-tier SEC contender. For South Carolina, it is another opportunity to defend its home court and maintain its stranglehold on the conference standings as the regular season winds down. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST. The Gamecocks won the previous meeting this season, 71-56, in Oxford on Jan. 4.