No. 1 South Carolina posts 40th straight win in style by taking down No. 9 NC State

Everything is going according to plan for the South Carolina women's basketball team this season, as the Gamecocks are a perfect 3-0 on the year. Never a doubt, right? On Sunday night, the first major test of the fall arrived in the form of a Top 10 matchup.

Indeed, South Carolina took on North Carolina State in a game that was expected to be a see-saw battle. It was, as the Gamecocks ended up posting a 71-57 win in the Final Four rematch. This game was much closer than the 14-point victory showcased.

To make things even better for Dawn Staley and Co., the latest W now gives them 40 consecutive wins as a program. This is the second time they've reached that feat. The only other team to post at least 40 straight wins multiple times? Of course it's UConn.

Dawn Staley and No. 1 South Carolina have now won 40 straight games

"I thought we won the game over a 40-minute period," Staley told reporters shortly after the win. "I thought our defense helped enhance our ability to scramble out of situations, to recover. I know we didn't put a whole lot of points on the scoreboard, but I was really pleased with our defensive effort and our ability to just smother them at times." 

In the win over the Wolfpack, Te-Hina Paopao led the way on offense with her 23 points. MiLaysia Fulwiley also had a strong showing, chipping in with 18 points. NC State's Zamareya Jones led her side with 16 points in this one.

This was an early-season test for the Gamecocks, but one they passed with flying colors. After winning the National Championship last season, taking down Caitlin Clark and Iowa with the title on the line, the hunt for trophy No. 4 is on the way for the program. So far, things are looking pretty dang good for this team.