Dawn Staley has led South Carolina back to the Final Four with an entirely new starting lineup.
In the Albany 1 Regional Final of the women's NCAA Tournament, Tessa Johnson scored 15 points and Kamilla Cardoso added 12 to help the undefeated Gamecocks win 70-58 over Oregon State on Sunday.
Staley expressed her pride in beating the odds and making it back to the Final Four, highlighting the team's belief in themselves and their strong chemistry and culture.
This marks the second year in a row that the Gamecocks have made it to the national semifinals without a defeat. They are aiming for a different outcome this time as they lost in the Final Four last year.
The team feels different this year, confident in their abilities to shoot from outside, drive, and play both inside and out. They are described as a young, fierce, and hungry team with a chip on their shoulder.
Having made the Final Four for four consecutive years, the Gamecocks are set to play either Texas or N.C. State on Friday night in Cleveland.
Staley finds each opportunity to cut down nets special.
If South Carolina secures two more wins, they will become the 10th school to finish a season undefeated and the first since UConn did it in 2016.
The top-seeded South Carolina (36-0) led by four at the half and built a 14-point lead before the No. 3 seed Oregon State (27-8) reduced the gap to 62-58 with 3:55 left in the game.
After a timeout, Tessa Johnson scored on a drive to restore a seven-point cushion. The Beavers then missed their final seven shots.
South Carolina struggled to score until Johnson made two free throws with 44.5 seconds left, ultimately securing the win from the free throw line.
Oregon State coach Scott Rueck acknowledged that despite getting the shots they wanted, they were unable to convert, crediting South Carolina for their defensive effort.
Raegan Beers was the top scorer for the Beavers with 16 points.
South Carolina faced a similar situation to their last game, allowing a double-digit second-half lead to slip away, but still managed to make the necessary plays to secure the win.
Cardoso, honored as the region's Most Outstanding Player, expressed the team's hunger and determination to win the games, showcasing their ability to emerge victorious in close late-stage tournament games.
South Carolina led 43-41 before going on a 12-point run in the third quarter, with Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson playing crucial roles in the game-changing moment.
The Beavers were behind 58-46 at the start of the fourth quarter. They scored 12 of the first 16 points in the fourth quarter and closed the gap to 62-58 with a layup by Donovyn Hunter.
South Carolina and Oregon State had competed twice before in the NCAA Tournament, and the Gamecocks won both, including in 2021. Oregon State reached this stage for the first time since 2018. The Beavers went to the Final Four only once, in 2016.
The Gamecocks controlled the offensive rebounds to take a 37-33 lead at halftime. South Carolina secured 13 offensive rebounds in the first 20 minutes. Oregon State managed to keep up by making six 3-pointers, including three by Lily Hansford in the first half.
FULL OF ENERGY
South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins had a strong performance off the bench with eight points, 14 rebounds, and four blocks.
“I enjoy playing defense, jumping, and being active on the defensive end,” Watkins said. “That’s what sparks our offense.”
UP NEXT
South Carolina is two wins away from its third national championship.
