The South Carolina Lady Gamecocks are on the verge of a perfect season, needing just one more win in the national championship game to achieve this feat. They secured their spot in the final by defeating No. 3 NC State with a dominant 78-59 victory in the women’s basketball Final Four. Center Kamilla Cardoso led the Gamecocks with 22 points and 11 rebounds, shooting an impressive 10-of-12 from the field. Despite a close first quarter and halftime score, South Carolina pulled away in the third quarter, outscoring NC State 29-6.
South Carolina will be looking to capture their second national title, having previously won in 2017. They will face the winners of the UConn vs. Iowa game in the championship match. In addition to Cardoso’s strong performance, Raven Johnson contributed 13 points and five assists, while Te-Hina Paopao added 10 points and six assists for the Gamecocks. On the defensive end, Johnson also recorded three steals to help secure the victory. NC State’s Aziaha James led the team with 20 points, but struggled with her three-point shooting, making just three of her 10 attempts.
The Gamecocks’ path to the championship game was not an easy one, as they had to overcome a resilient NC State team that pushed them early on. South Carolina’s ability to dominate the third quarter and shut down NC State’s offense ultimately secured their spot in the final. With the experience of winning a national title in 2017 and securing another appearance in the championship game two years later, the Gamecocks are poised to make history with a perfect season. The team’s depth and talent were evident in their victory, with multiple players contributing on both ends of the floor to outplay their opponents.
The upcoming national championship game will be a test for the Gamecocks as they face tough competition in either UConn or Iowa. Despite their success in the Final Four and the regular season, South Carolina will have to remain focused and determined to complete their perfect season with a title win. The team’s coach, Dawn Staley, will be looking to lead her players to another championship victory, building on their past success and solidifying their place in women’s college basketball history. As the Gamecocks prepare for the final game of the season, they will need to rely on their teamwork, skill, and determination to finish the season undefeated and claim the national championship.
