3 takeaways from South Carolina's blowout win over NC State in the Final Four
South Carolina and NC State battled for the chance to compete for a national championship on Friday.
There was some added pressure for the Gamecocks, who are looking for their 3rd national title since the season 2016-2017 season. South Carolina ultimately prevailed with a 78-59 win thanks to a big performance in the 2nd half.
Here are 3 takeaways from Friday’s Final Four battle:
Close affair at the half
South Carolina and NC State looked to be evenly matched after 2 quarters. The score was 32-31 with the Gamecocks up by 1 going into the break.
South Carolina held NC State to 31 points on 33 shots in the first half, but the Gamecocks weren’t able to separate offensively. South Carolina’s offense struggled, particularly from 3-point range, going just 2-for-9 from beyond the arc. South Carolina also made just 2 trips to the foul line before the half.
Kamilla Cardoso briefly left the game with an apparent ankle injury late in the first half, but was able to return to the game. Cardoso finished her evening with a double-double — 22 points and 11 rebounds — in 23 minutes of action.
Gamecocks go for a run to kick off 2nd half
Staley’s team was fired up to begin the 2nd half, going on a 16-5 run before NC State called a timeout. This run from the Gamecocks was much more reminiscent of the team that went undefeated during the regular season.
Both sides of the ball woke up for South Carolina in the 3rd quarter. The defense held NC State scoreless for long stretches of the 3rd quarter, which South Carolina ultimately won 29-6.
The scoring run that South Carolina went on ended up setting the tone and allowed the team to pull away for a decisive victory to clinch a spot in the championship.
Gamecocks continue historic bid in March Madness
South Carolina is now 1 game away from joining some of the elite programs in women’s college basketball history. Just 4 women’s programs have achieved undefeated seasons in the sport.
The Gamecocks have a chance to join Texas (1985-1986), Baylor (2011-2012), Tennessee (1995-1996), and UConn (1994-1995, 2001-2002, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, 2013-2014, 2015-2016) by finishing off an undefeated championship run. To be included among those programs would be a special feat, but another national championship would mean plenty as well.
South Carolina’s opponent will either be Iowa or UConn. Revenge could be in the cards for the Gamecocks after Iowa knocked them out of the Final Four last season. Sunday’s tipoff will be at 3 p.m. ET.
looking forward to the championship game. We owe Iowa from last year – but Caitlan Clark scares the heck out of me. She cam shot a 3 from anywhere.
GO COCKS
Raven Johnson has been pretty deadly from 3-point range in the past several games and has hit some big shots. She owes Caitlin for waving her off last year. Raven said that significantly affected her confidence and she almost quit basketball because she thought she let her team down. Instead, she focused efforts on her 3-point shot and is on a revenge tour. Caitlin can wave her off this year at her own peril (and Tehina and Tessa and Bree and MiLaysia, all of whom can hit consistently from beyond the arc).
Your coach says men should be able to play women’s sports. I doubt most people in SC agree. She better stay out of that minefield and enjoy what she has.
This we agree on. Dudes should not play female sports.
Or what?
Iowa’s run is over. USC is too loaded and balanced.
Nobleman . . . I wish I could be that cocky. On paper, SC has the depth, athleticism, height, talent, etc. to run Iowa off the court. But, Caitlin Clark is a game changer. If she starts ringing up threes from long range regularly, it will be a nailbiter.