In a season defined by “unknowns” and a radical roster overhaul, Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks have once again proved that their standard is the gold standard. On Monday night at the Golden 1 Center, the top-seeded Gamecocks dispatched the TCU Horned Frogs 78-52 to claim the Sacramento Region 4 title. The victory officially punches South Carolina’s ticket to a historic sixth consecutive Final Four appearance, a feat that further cements Staley’s program as a modern-day dynasty.
Overcoming the Early Grind
While the final score suggested another dominant blowout, the path to Phoenix was anything but easy. TCU, led by stars like Olivia Miles and Marta Suarez, kept the Gamecocks on their heels through the first three quarters. South Carolina trailed early in the second frame and held only a slim eight-point lead heading into the final ten minutes.
“I want to congratulate TCU on a great season,” Staley said during her post-game press conference. “It was a really hard-fought game, one that took us a little bit to just kind of open it up. But I thought, overall, it was a great team win from both sides of the basketball.”
The Fourth Quarter Takeover
The tide turned in the fourth quarter, thanks to a scoring surge led by sophomore Joyce Edwards and freshman sensation Agot Makeer. The duo combined for the first 12 points of the final period, sparking a 29-11 run that extinguished the Horned Frogs’ upset hopes. Edwards finished with a massive 24-point, 12-rebound double-double, while Makeer—often called the team’s “X-factor”—notched 18 points.
Staley emphasized that while the program makes these deep runs look routine, the effort required is immense. “It really doesn’t feel like [six in a row] because of the work that it requires for you to get to this place. It’s a lot,” Staley admitted. “People really criticize coaches for how they coach on a game day. A game day is the easiest time of our day. It’s the preparation for players who are going through the rigors of a season that is the real challenge.”
A New Generation of Power
This year’s journey to the Final Four is particularly sweet for Staley, given the turnover from previous championship squads. With key veterans gone and injuries to starters like Chloe Kitts, the Gamecocks relied on newcomers like Ta’Niya Latson and Madina Okot to bridge the gap.
“Super proud of this team. A lot of unknowns coming into the season,” Staley reflected. “Our ranking and what people thought of us was off our history. We had too many holes, but I’m happy we were able to fill them and compete on the third weekend of the NCAA Tournament.”
As South Carolina prepares to face an undefeated UConn team in the national semifinal, Staley remains grounded in the strength of her players. Noting that “women are some of the most powerful beings on Earth,” she enters the final weekend in Phoenix with a team that has found its identity at exactly the right time.