South Carolina basketball senior forward earns World Cup gold medal with Team USA, leads tournament in scoring

South Carolina basketball senior power forward Sania Feagin spent a good portion of the past week in Mongolia as part of Team USA's U23 3x3 World Cup team. The Gamecock post player was one of four American players to participate in the event as she joined former Seton Hall Pirates forward Azana Baines, Harvard Crimson guard Harmoni Turner, and Ohio State Buckeyes wing Cotie Mcmahon-Hayes.

En route to a gold medal in the 3-on-3 tournament, the United States went 7-0 with wins over Japan (21-14), Italy (21-14), Spain (18-17), New Zealand (21-13), France (21-11), China (19-10), and Netherlands (18-15). The United States' Men's 3x3 World Cup team also made it to the championship game but lost to Germany (21-13).

As the US ladies dominated their way to a gold medal, it was the Gamecock senior who led the way. Besting all other players in the tournament in scoring, Sania Feagin scored 44 of Team USA's 139 points as no one could match up with her combination of size and post skill.

Because each round had a 10-minute time limit (unless tied) to reach 21 points, most of the games played went the full length of time. However, Team USA had four different games that they finished (scoring 21 points) in fewer than the 10-minute limit. They were the only team at the World Cup to reach 21 points and beat the time limit more than twice.

Returning home with a gold medal in hand, Sania Feagin will hope to keep up her winning ways back with her South Carolina basketball teammates. The Gamecocks will open their 2024-2025 season in search of their 4th National Championship since the 2016-2017 season when they take on the Michigan Wolverines in Las Vegas on November 4th. For Feagin and teammates Bree Hall and Raven Johnson, it will be a chance to win a third title in the last four seasons.