Dawn Staley has turned South Carolina into a women’s basketball powerhouse, cementing her legacy as one of the game’s greatest coaches. A former star at Virginia, she led her team to three Final Fours, became a six-time WNBA All-Star, and won three Olympic gold medals.
With over 450 wins and a .806 winning percentage, Staley’s latest achievement came on March 30, 2025, when she guided South Carolina to its seventh Final Four with a win over Duke.
South Carolina Elite Eight Victory Recap
South Carolina battled through a tough Elite Eight matchup, securing their fifth straight Final Four appearance with a hard-fought 54-50 win over Duke.
The top-seeded Gamecocks cruised in the opening round but faced challenges in the Round of 32 and Sweet 16, overcoming deficits to stay alive. Against Duke, they followed a similar pattern, tightening their defense in the final quarter and holding the Blue Devils to just eight points. Clinging to a 48-46 lead with just over four minutes left, South Carolina made key shots down the stretch to survive the upset threat and punch their ticket to the Final Four.
Sania Feagin led the way for South Carolina, posting 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds to help secure the victory. Duke’s Toby Fournier put up a strong fight with a game-high 18 points, but the Blue Devils struggled against the Gamecocks’ tough defense, which shut down their supporting cast.
WE LOVE CONFETTI pic.twitter.com/ABzin90jq0
— South Carolina Women’s Basketball (@GamecockWBB) March 30, 2025
With the hard-fought win, South Carolina earned its fifth straight Final Four appearance. Now, Staley’s team looks ahead to the national semifinals against the winner of Monday’s Texas-TCU matchup as they chase back-to-back national championships and continue their dominance in women’s college basketball.
Staley’s impact on the game is undeniable, and another national championship would only add to her remarkable legacy. She has already solidified herself as one of the greatest coaches in women’s college basketball. Still, a fourth title would place her even closer to the likes of Pat Summitt and Geno Auriemma in the all-time rankings.
KEEP READING: Where Did Dawn Staley Play College Basketball? A Look at the Hall of Famer’s Alma Mater
With her ability to build and sustain success, Staley continues to shape the future of the sport. If South Carolina wins the tournament again, where does Staley rank on your all-time coaching list?
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