Champion South Carolina Makes History with Fifth Consecutive Women’s Final Four Appearance
In a nail-biting matchup, the South Carolina Gamecocks edged out the Duke Blue Devils 54-50 to secure their fifth straight women’s Final Four appearance.¹ This impressive feat marks a testament to the team’s perseverance and determination.
The Gamecocks, led by Coach Dawn Staley, faced a formidable challenge in Duke’s stingy defense. The Blue Devils’ defensive strategy held South Carolina to just 54 points, a significant departure from their average of 80.5 points per game. However, the Gamecocks’ resilience and strategic gameplay ultimately paid off.
Key Players Shine
Chloe Kitts emerged as a standout player, scoring 14 points, including eight crucial points in the final quarter. Sania Feagin also delivered an impressive performance, with 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and three steals. Te-Hina Paopao’s strong third-quarter showing, where she scored six of her nine points, was also instrumental in the Gamecocks’ victory.
A Gritty Defensive Battle
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with the score tied at 46-46 before Feagin’s jumper put the Gamecocks ahead with 4:21 remaining. Duke’s Toby Fournier led the Blue Devils with 18 points, but ultimately, the Gamecocks’ defense held strong [1).
South Carolina’s historic fifth consecutive Final Four appearance sets the stage for an exciting matchup against the winner of the Texas-TCU game. The Gamecocks are now just two wins away from becoming the first team to repeat as champions since UConn’s four-year streak from 2013-2016.
