Albany, New York – After a hard-fought game, the South Carolina Gamecocks emerged victorious with a 70-58 win over the Oregon State Beavers. The Gamecocks’ guard, Raven Johnson, calmly dribbled out the clock at halfcourt as her teammates began celebrating their ticket to the fourth-consecutive Final Four under coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks showed dominance in the paint throughout the game, a key element of their undefeated season.
Led by standout performances from Kamilla Cardoso and Ashlyn Watkins, the Gamecocks outscored the Beavers 44-14 in the paint, showcasing their strength inside. Despite early foul trouble for Oregon State’s bigs, Reagan Beers and Timea Gardiner, the Gamecocks were able to maintain a solid lead throughout the game. A strong third-quarter run helped the Gamecocks extend their lead, with Johnson contributing seven of her team-high 15 points during critical moments.
This victory over the Beavers served as a test for the Gamecocks in handling late-game pressure from opponents. In their Sweet 16 game against Indiana, the Gamecocks faced a similar challenge of holding off second-half runs after establishing a large lead. The team’s resilience and ability to respond to opposing teams’ pushes were evident in both games.
The Gamecocks’ performance in the paint, coupled with their defensive efforts, proved to be decisive in securing a spot in the Final Four. With balanced contributions from players like Bree Hall and Tessa Johnson, South Carolina’s cohesive play and determination shone through, earning them another chance to compete on the national stage. As the team looks ahead to their sixth Final Four appearance under Coach Staley, their momentum and confidence continue to build heading into the next stage of the tournament.