The South Carolina women's basketball team isn't ready to leave Tampa yet! The No. 1 seeded Gamecocks took down No. 1 Texas 74-57 in an exhilarating Final Four showdown, securing their spot in the NCAA National Championship game on Sunday afternoon.
In an intense, back-and-forth battle Dawn Staley's squad triumphed in the fourth quarter, pushing the Gamecocks record against Texas to 3-1 this season. Staley also continues her rivalry with Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer with an unblemished 8-0 postseason record against him.
South Carolina and Texas have both been two heavyweights this season, going head-to-head several times. Texas was up first, jumping out with a 12-4 lead and maintaining control for most of the first half. The Gamecocks never flinched, however, rallying to take a three-point lead heading into the half.
The starting lineup for the Gamecocks provided a balanced effort in the win over Texas. Chloe Kitts was perfect from the field, scoring six points on 3-3 shooting while adding three rebounds. Sania Feagin matched Kitts' six points and grabbed two rebounds. Bree Hall had herself a night with 11 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including a three-pointer. Te-Hina Paopao led the starters with 14 points, hitting three of four of her attempts from beyond the arc.
Joyce Edwards delivered on Friday night, when the team needed it the most. After totaling 15 points in her previous three games, she exploded on the court tonight against Texas with a double-double, scoring 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists. Off the bench, Edwards was a game-changer as she became the first player in years to record more than 10+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists off the bench in a Final Four game.
MiLaysia Fulwiley added seven points, including a three-pointer, while Tessa Johnson scored nine points and knocked down a crucial three in the game. Maryam Dauda also contributed four points and three rebounds in 16 minutes.
With this win, South Carolina (35-3) is headed to its third national title game in the last five years, gunning for their fourth national championship in program history. If they win Sunday, it will be another historic feat for the Gamecocks and the third national title under Dawn Staley.
The Gamecocks will face the winner of the No. 1 seed UCLA vs. No. 2 seed UConn, Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. Texas wraps up their season with an impressive 35-4 record, but it's South Carolina's time to shine!