TAMPA, Fla. — Dawn Staley’s success in national championship games remains unblemished, as she has led South Carolina to victory in all her previous appearances in the title game. Her strategy for these pivotal moments involves concentrating solely on the present, disregarding past triumphs. Reflecting on this philosophy, Staley and her team are a game away from defending their championship title after an emphatic performance against Texas.
South Carolina’s Gamecocks showcased their dominance by securing a 74-57 victory over Texas in the women’s NCAA Tournament Final Four on Friday. Te-Hina Paopao contributed 14 points, affirming South Carolina’s place in the championship match. Staley emphasized that previous successes in championship games don’t directly translate to future victories, despite her team’s unbeaten record in these contests.
Aiming to become the first program to win back-to-back titles since UConn’s streak from 2013 to 2016, South Carolina is set to face UConn in the championship. UConn delivered a decisive win over UCLA, 85-51, in the semifinals, setting up a highly anticipated matchup. South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards complemented the effort by scoring 13 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and providing six assists. Her contributions illustrated the team’s depth and resilience, helping them recover from an early disadvantage and gain control as the game progressed.
The Gamecocks outperformed Texas in key areas, including scoring 40 points in the paint compared to Texas’ 22. South Carolina’s ability to exploit their strengths was crucial, with Bree Hall also adding eleven points. Meanwhile, Madison Booker, a key player for Texas, faced challenges due to foul trouble and managed only 11 points for the night. Texas was aiming for its first championship game since 1986 but was thwarted by South Carolina’s imposing performance.
South Carolina seized control during the third quarter with an 11-0 run, initiated by Edwards’ drive. Despite Texas’ efforts, they could not rally closer than ten points for the remainder of the contest. Booker’s performance was hindered, particularly in the third quarter when she scored no baskets after an earlier jumper. Texas struggled to keep pace with South Carolina and was limited to only nine points in the third quarter, with Ciarra Harmon also contributing eight points for Texas. Jordan Lee stood out from the bench, leading Texas with 16 points.
Although disappointed, Texas coach Vic Schaefer acknowledged South Carolina’s superiority on the night. The Gamecocks’ current roster may lack the towering presence of past stars like A’ja Wilson or Aliyah Boston, yet they continue to excel through strategic depth and flexibility, consistently rotating players to maintain performance levels. This adaptability helped the Gamecocks deliver 35 points off the bench, with notable contributions from Tessa Johnson and Milaysia Fulwiley.
From the outset, Texas faced difficulties as Booker picked up two fouls early, giving South Carolina a chance to recover from a 12-4 deficit. By halftime, South Carolina led 38-35, having outscored Texas by 13 points while Booker was sidelined with three fouls. Reflecting on the seesaw nature of the game, Te-Hina Paopao noted the seamless flow between scoring runs that ultimately favored South Carolina.
This matchup marked the fourth encounter between these teams this season, illustrating the competitive nature of their newfound conference rivalry. As members of the Southeastern Conference, both teams split victories in the regular season prior to South Carolina’s decisive win in the SEC Tournament championship.