Fayetteville, Arkansas – South Carolina’s women’s basketball team secured a thrilling victory over Tennessee in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament, delivering an unforgettable finish to fans on Saturday.
The No. 1 Gamecocks were on the verge of their first loss of the season until 6-foot-7 center Kamilla Cardoso stunned everyone with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer. This remarkable shot was the first three-point attempt of her career, showcasing the unexpected versatility of the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.
Despite not even attempting a 3-point shot since the 2020-21 season, Cardoso’s clutch performance in the final seconds secured a 74-73 win for South Carolina against the No. 5 Tennessee Vols. The Brazilian center’s game-changing shot proved that every Gamecock player is a threat on the court.
Tennessee, led by head coach Kellie Harper, had fought hard for their lead against the Gamecocks, with senior forward Rickea Jackson putting up an impressive performance in the comeback. Jackson’s offensive rebound and fadeaway shot gave the Vols a 73-71 advantage with just 24 seconds remaining before Cardoso’s heroics stole the victory.
The heartbreaking loss left Harper visibly devastated as she watched her team come so close to a historic win over South Carolina. Despite Tennessee’s valiant effort and Jackson’s standout performance with 22 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, it was South Carolina’s resilience that ultimately prevailed.
With this victory, South Carolina extended their impressive winning streak in conference games to 32, advancing to the SEC championship game on Sunday. The Gamecocks’ resilience and Cardoso’s buzzer-beating heroics will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment in their season.