South Carolina vs Texas: Gamecocks Advance to Championship with 74-58 Win

South Carolina has once again proved why they are one of the most dominant programs in women’s college basketball. On Friday night, the Gamecocks defeated Texas 74-58 in the NCAA Women’s Final Four, punching their ticket to the national championship game.

Here’s a breakdown of how the action unfolded:

🔥 Game Summary:

• Final Score:
  🏀 South Carolina 74, Texas 58

• Location:
  Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH

• Date:
  Friday, April 4, 2025

🏀 First Half Highlights:

• Texas came out hot, leading by as much as eight points in the first quarter.

• South Carolina fought back, trailing by just one point (19-18) at the end of the first.

• By halftime, the Gamecocks had turned the tide and led 38-35.

• Despite early foul trouble, Texas freshman Madison Booker remained a threat, while Jordan Lee added 10 key points in the first half.

🔄 Second Half Momentum Shift:

• South Carolina’s defense tightened, allowing just 9 points from Texas in the third quarter.

• The Gamecocks outscored Texas 20-9 in that third period, extending the lead to 58-44.

• From there, South Carolina never looked back, controlling the tempo and the scoreboard.

• Texas struggled to respond, managing only 23 points in the second half.

🌟 Key Performers:

• Chloe Kitts (South Carolina)

  • 15 points

  • 9 rebounds

  • Stepped up in critical moments, showing maturity beyond her years.

• Te-Hina Paopao (South Carolina)

  • Efficient shooting night

  • Created space and ball movement to keep the offense flowing.

• Jordan Lee (Texas)

  • 10 points in the first half

  • Showed confidence under pressure in her first Final Four appearance.

💪 What Made the Difference:

• Bench Strength:
  South Carolina’s bench outscored Texas’s reserves 26-0, a massive boost in such a high-stakes game.

• Defensive Discipline:
  The Gamecocks’ defense forced Texas into low-percentage shots and minimized second-chance points.

• Experience:
  Head coach Dawn Staley’s leadership and her team’s composure under pressure stood out, especially as Texas showed signs of fatigue late in the game.

🏆 What’s Next:

• South Carolina will now head to the NCAA Championship Game, looking to secure another national title.

• Their opponent will be determined in the second Final Four matchup between UConn and UCLA.