The South Carolina Gamecocks have punched their ticket to the National Championship game with a 74-57 win over the Texas Longhorns.
Gamecocks’ Depth Shines as South Carolina Advances to Title Game
South Carolina’s dominance in March and April continues. Over the last four seasons, the Gamecocks are 22-1 in their previous four tournament seasons. They have had a different cast of women throughout each run, but one thing remains with Dawn Staley’s teams: everyone is a factor, and tonight was no different.
The depth of the Gamecocks through four quarters overwhelmed the Longhorns, especially in the second half.
Texas got out to an early 10-4 lead behind the scoring of the mighty talented Madison Booker. Booker, though, went out with three minutes left in the first quarter due to foul trouble, and from that point on, South Carolina did not look back.
From the moment Booker left the court in the first quarter to the end of the game, Staley’s group outscored Vic Schaefer’s Longhorns 67-45. This was led by freshman star Joyce Edwards, who led the bench unit for South Carolina.
Edwards had 13 points off the bench. She led the team in rebounds with 11 and assists with 6. Her idol growing up, Aja Wilson, was front row rooting for her alma mater to reach another championship game, and the freshman was able to produce.
Going into this game, Edwards scored only 15 points over her previous three games.
Holly Rowe spoke with Edwards postgame about her recent struggles and how she could not allow that to affect her play in the Final Four, and she said, “At the end of the day, it’s not an ‘If,’ it’s a ‘When.’ When I’m going to turn the page… I did that today.
Edwards wasn’t the only punch the Gamecocks got off the bench. Malaysia Fulwiley scored seven points, Tessa Johnson scored nine, and South Carolina got 35 points from their bench.
The versatile bigs for South Carolina made it difficult for the Longhorns. Texas could only get perimeter production from their freshman guard Jordan Lee, who had 16 points and made three threes. Madison Booker was the only other Longhorn in double figures with 11 points.
Though the season comes to a tough end for the Longhorns, Vic Schaefer and his group have much to be proud of. Texas made its first Final Four since 2003 and has a top-five recruit (according to ESPN HoopGurlz) joining its squad next year.
KEEP READING: Watch: Dawn Staley’s Nap Time Reel Has Fans Cracking Up – ‘It’s Always That One Kid’
South Carolina will face the winner of UCLA and UConn on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. EST for a chance to win its third championship in four seasons.
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