In a thrilling matchup at the women’s Final Four, the South Carolina Gamecocks emerged victorious over the North Carolina State Wolfpack with a commanding 78-59 win. All-America center Kamilla Cardoso led the charge with 22 points, showcasing her talent and tenacity on the court.
The Gamecocks, who remain undefeated at 37-0, faced a tough challenge from the Wolfpack in the first half, leading by just one point at halftime. However, they turned up the heat in the third quarter, outscoring their opponents 29-6 and solidifying their dominance in the game.
With the win, South Carolina secured a spot in the championship game on Sunday, where they will face the winner of the matchup between Iowa and UConn. The Gamecocks are aiming to become the first undefeated national champion since UConn in 2016, and their performance against N.C. State certainly showcased their championship potential.
Cardoso’s impressive performance was supported by Aziaha James, who scored 20 points for N.C. State. Despite suffering a leg injury in the first half, Cardoso returned to the game in the third quarter and made a significant impact before sitting out the fourth.
The Gamecocks’ dominance inside the paint was evident, with Ashlyn Watkins contributing 20 rebounds and Raven Johnson adding 13 points to the scoreboard. Head coach Dawn Staley’s team displayed depth, talent, and swag throughout the game, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with in the women’s college basketball scene.