Gamecocks Secure Final Four Berth with Gritty Win Over Duke
The South Carolina Gamecocks are heading back to the Final Four after a hard-fought 54-50 victory over the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament’s Elite Eight on Sunday. The defending national champions proved their resilience, overcoming a late Duke surge to clinch their fifth straight trip to the Final Four.
Led by Chloe Kitts’ 14 points and crucial free throws down the stretch, South Carolina weathered a challenging defensive battle. Sania Feagin added 12 points and eight rebounds, while Te-Hina Paopao contributed key assists to help the Gamecocks hold off Duke’s comeback attempt.
South Carolina started strong, jumping to an early 10-2 lead, but Duke fought back, keeping the score tight at halftime, 26-22. The Blue Devils briefly took control in the third quarter, leading 42-38, but the Gamecocks’ experience and depth allowed them to regain momentum in the closing minutes.
With the victory, head coach Dawn Staley’s squad moves within two wins of becoming the first team to repeat as national champions since UConn’s dominant run from 2013 to 2016. The Gamecocks will face the winner of the Texas-TCU matchup in the Final Four, set to take place Friday in Tampa, Florida.
For South Carolina, the journey continues as they chase another historic title under Staley’s leadership. With their defensive intensity and championship pedigree, the Gamecocks remain one of the most formidable teams in the tournament.
