Raven Johnson is using her final season to fully grow into one of the country’s most reliable point guards. Just a year ago, the two-time NCAA champion went through what could fairly be described as a down year. Her scoring, rebounding, and assist numbers all dipped, and her field goal percentage fell by nearly 10 points. L This season has told a very different story. Johnson, an Atlanta native, is averaging (10.1) points, (4.3) rebounds, and (5.2) assists on 50.2% shooting, with her production climbing even further when the competition stiffens. Against five ranked opponents, she’s posting (11.6) points, (4.8) rebounds, and (5.8) assists while shooting an efficient 51 percent from the field. Those numbers don’t even account for teams that were unranked at the time but have since entered the AP Poll. Against Alabama—now ranked No. 23—Johnson recorded 17 points and five assists while shooting 70 percent. She also recorded a 10-point, six-assist performance against Duke, now No. 21. Most recently, Johnson put together one of her most complete games of the season against No. 16 Oklahoma, finishing with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals. It marked her fourth game with at least five assists in five contests against ranked opponents, tying her for second-most such games this season. Johnson and the Gamecocks will be back on the floor Sunday as they face their sixth ranked opponent of the year in No. 5 Vanderbilt, looking to respond after yesterday’s loss.