COLUMBIA — South Carolina women’s basketball beat rival Clemson in historic fashion Thursday.

But the 69-point blowout wasn’t even the Gamecocks’ biggest victory over Clemson (3-1) in the past 48 hours. For coach Dawn Staley, it was the moment national No. 2 prospect Joyce Edwards put pen to paper Wednesday night to join South Carolina’s 2024 recruiting class.

“It was unbelievable, because for the longest time we had no idea,” Staley said. “It felt good. It felt good for all of us. Everybody was jumping around and I was just like (head in my hands). It was a cool moment.”

Edwards is from Camden and continued Staley’s streak of signing every top-35 recruit out of South Carolina since 2014, but Staley had serious concerns for months that Edwards was heading elsewhere. The state’s highest-rated prospect since A’ja Wilson had narrowed her options to a top three of South Carolina, Clemson and LSU.

“It was six schools or seven schools, and then it got down to five and down to three schools, and I don’t think she knew until that moment,” Staley said. “We were on pins and needles. We wanted to get it done. We wanted to hear that yes.”

However, she knew by the time that top three was public knowledge that Edwards was staying in Columbia. The 6-foot-2 forward made the decision after the Gamecocks routed No. 19 Maryland 114-76 on Sunday, despite entering the weekend with plans to hold her commitment until the regular signing period in April.

The Colonial Life Arena crowd chanted “We want Joyce!” and Edwards also got to talk with Wilson and members of the Gamecocks’ iconic “Freshies” class that led the program to three consecutive Final Four appearances. Staley remembers having an overwhelming sense of relief when she finally heard Edwards say the words she had been hoping for.

“When I heard her voice say it, I really didn’t believe it what I was hearing,” Staley said. “It really was a lot easier than I was imagining it. That moment, being in the gym and hearing ‘We want Joyce,’ getting to talk with A’ja and the Freshies. When our current roster saw her in the tunnel, they all broke out into big smiles and cheers, and I think the moment met her.”

Edwards is a unique talent, on and off the court. She has a 5.1 high school GPA and seriously considered South Carolina only after Staley found a way for her to be able to pursue the specific engineering degree she wanted. She is also a three-sport star, earning all-state honors at Camden in volleyball and soccer.

“Joyce is an incredibly blessed athlete that has transcended three high school sports,” Staley said in a news release Wednesday. “As she begins her college career with her focus on basketball, look for her to excel on this platform. She is gifted with size, speed, skill and an uncommon feel for the game. Her intelligence on the court and in the classroom will not be denied. We cannot wait to begin our journey with this young woman.”

Follow South Carolina women’s basketball reporter Emily Adams on X @eaadams6 and subscribe to The Greenville News for exclusive Gamecocks content: https://subscribe.greenvilleonline.com/offers.

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