BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Dawn Staley was in high spirits after guiding her South Carolina Gamecocks back to the NCAA Women’s Final Four, celebrating with fans and even taking a moment to sign a baby’s pants after a thrilling victory over Duke.
In a hard-fought contest, the top-seeded Gamecocks secured their spot in the national semifinals for the fifth consecutive year, edging out the second-seeded Blue Devils with a final score of 54-50. Chloe Kitts led the way with 14 points as South Carolina had to dig deep to overcome a close game.
“It’s not going to look pretty, and that’s okay. Each game has its own challenges,” Coach Staley remarked. “We have to adapt and play the style of game in front of us. If scoring is tough, we’ll rely on our defense.”
And that’s precisely what South Carolina did, showcasing their grit and determination as they move closer to making history. They now stand just two wins away from becoming the first team since UConn to repeat as champions between 2013 and 2016.
The Final Four will take place in Tampa, Florida, on Friday night, where the Gamecocks will face the winner of the Texas-TCU matchup set for Monday evening.
Duke was aiming to reach its first national semifinals since 2006, when they lost in overtime to Maryland in the finals. The Blue Devils hoped to join the men’s program in making a Final Four appearance, but faced a tough opponent in South Carolina.
Throughout the match, South Carolina struggled against Duke’s strong defense, which kept scores low. South Carolina entered the game averaging over 80 points per game but found opportunities hard to come by against the Blue Devils.
“It felt like they forced us into some tough shots that almost ended our season, especially in the first half,” Staley noted.
As the game reached a crucial point, it was tied at 46 when Sania Feagin hit a key jumper, putting South Carolina back on top. Kitts added free throws shortly after, extending their lead to 50-46.
Duke’s Toby Fournier, who led her team with 18 points, closed the gap with a basket, making it 52-50 with only seconds remaining. However, a late foul by Bree Hall allowed Kitts to secure the win by sinking two free throws, much to the delight of the 11,252 fans who came out to support.
Duke’s coach, Kara Lawson, praised her team’s effort despite the loss. “We asked our players to deliver and they did, but it wasn’t enough,” she said. “As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”
The Blue Devils managed to make a strong run at the start of the third quarter, taking their first lead since early in the game, but South Carolina responded effectively and never trailed after scoring the first eight points of the final period.
This matchup marked their first meeting during the postseason, and for Duke, it’s a chance to build on a solid foundation with a young roster looking towards future successes.
As Coach Staley celebrated the victory with her team, she spontaneously signed a young fan’s pants, marking a memorable moment in their championship journey. “That was a first for me,” she laughed, delighted by the experience.
As the Gamecocks prepare for the challenge ahead, their historic run in women’s basketball continues to captivate supporters and enthusiasts alike.
