South Carolina Gamecocks guards Ta’Niya Latson and Raven Johnson had a tear-filled moment in their press conference after losing the national championship game 51-79 to the UCLA Bruins.
On Sunday, Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks were up against coach Cori Close’s Bruins in the NCAA title game on neutral grounds, the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona.
In a video uploaded by college basketball reporter Chaz Frazier, Latson and Johnson can be seen answering reporters’ questions at the post-game press conference. Latson was captured crying as Johnson embraced her, through which the former went on to talk highly of the latter. Latson’s words made Johnson emotional.
“She meant so much to me, and I’m just super proud of her growth and everything that she overcame. She went through a lot of adversity, and when people counted her out, she kept her head on. I feel like Raven is a winner, and whatever WNBA team gets her is gonna get a winner. She’s a phenomenal teammate, and she’s like a sister to me. So, I’m just extremely happy for her,” Latson said.
The reason both Gamecocks veterans were in tears is that they just wrapped up their collegiate hoops careers, but with a heartbreaking loss in the final. Their South Carolina-based program lost to the Bruins by a staggering 28 points, 79-51, and missed out on what was supposedly their team’s fourth NCAA championship. UCLA took home its first-ever national title.
Raven Johnson Believes The 2026 NCAA Title Game Loss Is A Great Lesson For Her Younger Teammates
In another video uploaded by Chaz Frazier on X/Twitter, Raven Johnson and Ta’Niya Latson spoke about the Gamecocks’ loss to the Bruins in the title game.
Johnson was asked for her thoughts on the loss and how the South Carolina Gamecocks will move forward now that she has exhausted her college eligibility. Johnson hoped that the loss would be a lesson for the upcoming players.
“ I think, you know, I think it’s gonna be a great lesson for the younger players, I hope. I hope they feel how we got whooped. We didn’t get beat, we got whooped, and I hope they come back next year and make it to the championship game and win, so,” Johnson shared. (0:12)
Read More: Raven Johnson Sends Clear Warning to Geno Auriemma’s UConn Ahead of Final Four Clash
Also Read: Ta’Niya Latson, Tessa Johnson, And More Can’t Contain Their Excitement As Chloe Kitts Serves Looks In Laid Back Post
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
