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The South Carolina Gamecocks took down the Texas Longhorns 74-57 in the semifinals of the NCAA Tournament as the team led by elite head coach Dawn Staley advanced to the championship game for the second consecutive season.
Even though the Gamecocks lack a true superstar like previous South Carolina title-winning teams, the squad used their depth that included freshman Joyce Edwards stellar performance to wear down Texas and advance to the national title.
Staley's reserves scored 35 points as she was constantly shuttling fresh players in against Texas, saying at one point that the Longhorns had "weary legs." Edwards, Staley put together her best game of the NCAA Tournament since the opener, with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Dawn Staley shocking reaction to one of her players falling
Senior guard Bree Hall finished in double-figure points for the seventh time this season, hitting a three to open the third quarter and kick off a 17-6 Gamecock run. She was a very important part of her team's victory and she will be key if South Carolina wants to get another championship.
However, Hall was part of a clumsy play during the game against Texas. After hitting a three she turned around as she celebrated the bucket, she tripped herself and she fell hard on the court. Dawn Staley looked shocked to see one of her players go down, as she was worried that she was going to lose a key asset.
Luckily for the Gamecocks,Hall started laughing after she fell, and so did the rest of her teammates, includin her head coach. She was quick to get up as she was able to get up and finish the game. The senior guard will be available for Sunday's championship game.
Staley wants to stay perfect on national championship games
South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley is 3-0 in national championship games, and she wants to remain perfect in title games as her team will face a stellar program such as the UConn Huskies lead by superstar Paige Bueckers and coached by the legendary Geno Auriemma.
"I wish it would spot us 10 points because we're undefeated," Staley said after South Carolina's Final Four win over Texas. "I'd feel really good about that." Auriemma, on the other hand, said that Stalye's ability to win national championships multiple times puts her in a position to do it again.
Sunday's national championship game is a rematch of the 2022 title match, which South Carolina won 64-49. Both teams met in February as the Huskies shocked the Gamecocks with a 29-point road victory 87-58. Senior guard Azzi Fudd scored 28 points in that game.