TAMPA, Fla. — Joyce Edwards fed Tessa Johnson who pulled up for a 3-pointer near the 4:42 mark of the fourth quarter Friday night.
If there was any sliver of hope that Texas might be able to shoot its way back into this Final Four game, it went out the window with the swish of the net and the screams from the fans behind South Carolina’s bench.
To be clear, the game felt out of reach before that moment.
But that basket was the dagger that resulted in the Longhorns dropping their heads.
With just over 2 minutes remaining, garnet-and-black-clad fans rose to their feet and cheered as South Carolina dribbled down some of the clock before attacking the basket.
A national championship berth was just moments away.
The Gamecocks overpowered the Longhorns in the second half to win 74-57.
They’ll compete for their second consecutive title – and third in four years – on Sunday in Tampa, Florida.
MiLaysia Fulwiley felt calmer heading into the Final Four last year than she did this time around.
South Carolina has lost three times this season — and each of those winners made it to Tampa.
So as much as this weekend’s performance is about becoming the first team to win back-to-back national championships since Connecticut won four straight from 2013 to 2016, it was also about revenge.
On Friday, and in their fourth meeting this season, the Gamecocks once again showed the Longhorns who’s boss.
Te-Hina Paopao led the Gamecocks with 14 points and Edwards added 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
Texas had the edge out of the gates and led by as many as eight points. But Madison Booker picking up her second foul at the 3:25 mark of the first quarter changed everything for the Longhorns.
South Carolina chipped away at Texas’ lead. Joyce Edwards made an aggressive driving layup to have the Gamecocks within one of Texas entering the second quarter.
Booker was limited to only nine minutes in the first half because of foul trouble. Texas was outscored 27-16 in the first half when Booker was on the bench.
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South Carolina was up 38-35 at the break, and history repeated itself.
The Gamecocks haven’t lost a game when leading at half in more than three years and that wouldn’t change Friday night.
South Carolina outscored Texas 20-9 in the third quarter.
The Gamecocks dominated the Longhorns inside, outscoring them in the paint 40-22.
South Carolina is heading to its third national championship game in four years and will play the winner of the UCLA-UConn game Sunday.
The Gamecocks are 4-0 in NCAA Tournament title games under Staley.
