CLEVELAND — South Carolina is back in the national championship game.
The top-ranked, undefeated Gamecocks beat third-seeded NC State 78-59 in the first game of the Final Four on Friday night. The win returns South Carolina to the national championship for the second time in three years, after winning it all in 2022.
The Gamecocks were led by star player Camila Cardoso, who scored 22 points and grabbed 11 rebounds despite missing the final 1:39 of the first half with an apparent leg injury.
“You play to your strengths, Camilla is our strength,” South Carolina coach Don Staley said. “I played with the desire to win. I asked for the ball a few times as well.
The Gamecocks led by five before Cardoso pulled away, but that lead was cut to just one point in the first half.
“I knew she was going to be OK,” South Carolina guard Ashlyn Watkins said. “Camila is a warrior. She's not going to let an injury like this affect her. She's going to push and be ready for Sunday.”
Cardoso came back after halftime and South Carolina immediately took control of the game, taking a 10-1 lead into the third quarter. The Gamecocks outscored NC State 29-6 in the third quarter to keep the game open.
“Coach told us this is a quarter of the points for them,” said T-Hina Paopao, who finished with 10 points and six assists. We were shocked that we didn't feel that way. It felt like we were out there locked in attack and defence. And we just played the game we know how to play.
“At some points we don't know what's going on. We just know that we're having fun. And we love being there with each other.”
NC State reached the Final Four on the back of great play led by duo Isaiah James and Sania Rivers. They have combined for 157 points in the previous four games, but had just 25 points on Friday. James scored 20 points on 6 of 17 shooting. Rivers struggled and finished the game with only five points.
Watkins played a big role in South Carolina's ability to limit NC State's guards and the offense in general. She had two blocks in the game and while South Carolina held the Wolfpack to just 32 percent shooting, Watkins dominated the glass.
She grabbed 20 rebounds, a season-high, and became the fifth player to record 20 rebounds in a women's Final Four game and the first in South Carolina history.
While Cardoso is often the focal point for South Carolina, Staley knew Watkins would be the difference on Friday.
“Her presence for us was big,” Staley said. “We don't win the game without her contributions. … We're very fortunate to have her playing for us.”
South Carolina will await the winner of one-seeded Iowa and third-seeded UConn. If the Gamecocks play UConn, it will be a rematch of the teams' Feb. 11 matchup, which South Carolina won 83-65. If Iowa State wins, the Gamecocks will have a chance for revenge after losing to Iowa in last year's Final Four 77-73.
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(Photo: Gregory Shamos/Getty Images)
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