ONE MORE TO GO: South Carolina advances to second-straight championship, taking down Texas 74-57 in Final Four

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - Playing each other for the fourth time in the Final Four. The South Carolina Gamecocks are one win away from claiming their second straight national title, taking down a familiar foe to get to the big game.

This was the fourth time South Carolina faced Texas this season. After tying their series 1-1 in the regular season, the Gamecocks took the advantage after beating the Longhorns in the SEC Championship in early March.

Texas, led by SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker, started the game strong! Rori Harmon hit a jumper to give Texas a 10-2 lead early, which would be their largest lead of the game.

South Carolina started the game with 4 turnovers, giving Texas multiple fast-break opportunities.

However, fouls slowed the Longhorns down, letting South Carolina creep back into the game.

Madison Booker was forced to the bench after a strong start due to gaining two fouls in the first quarter.

Joyce Edwards hit a touch layup at the end of the quarter to bring the Texas lead down to one.

South Carolina trailed Texas 19-18 at the end of the first quarter.

Both teams went back and forth in the second. Te-hina Paopao hit a three to give the Gamecocks their first lead. However, freshman Jordan Lee responded with a three of her own. Lee led the Longhorns in scoring with 16 points in the game and the first 7 points in the quarter for her team.

In an unfortunate turn of events for Texas, Madison Booker was sent to the bench with 3 fouls right after checking in the game.

South Carolina proceeded to go on a crucial 7-0 run, taking a three-point lead going into haltime. South Carolina led 38-35.

The game was decided in the third quarter. After a 5-0 run by Bree Hall, Joyce Edwards hit another big layup to give South Carolina an eight-point lead early in the second half. Joyce filled the stat sheet in the Final Four, going for 13 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and a steal.

Te-hina Paopao was also a major factor in Friday’s game. After missing a free throw, the senior stole the ball and laid it in to give the Gamecocks their first double-digit lead of the game.

A 20-9 quarter from South Carolina gave them a 14-point lead heading into the fourth.

The fourth quarter was more of the same as the Gamecocks piled on the score. Texas struggled against South Carolina’s defensive pressure, as players like Tessa Johnson and Joyce Edwards dissected the Longhorns.

South Carolina went on to win 74-57, advancing to their second-straight championship. The Gamecocks will play the winner of UCLA/UConn; two teams they lost to in the regular season.

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