3 Key Takeaways: Indiana Women’s Basketball Loses to South Carolina 64-53

In a live update from Columbia, South Carolina, the Hoosiers’ season came to a close once again, this time with a 64-53 loss to the top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks in the second round of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. This loss means the Indiana women’s basketball team won’t make it past the second round, as their quest for the championship was halted at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday.

For Indiana, this game was a familiar uphill battle. They had faced a similar challenge last postseason, when they met the undefeated Gamecocks in the Sweet Sixteen. Despite the odds, the Hoosiers exceeded expectations, even managing a halftime lead. However, as is often the case against elite teams, they couldn’t sustain their momentum in the second half and ultimately fell short. The Gamecocks’ strength and composure were too much to overcome.

Now, Indiana will have to move forward without two key players: Chloe Moore-McNeil and Sydney Parrish. As the program looks ahead, here are three key takeaways from the game:

South Carolina’s Unmatched Dominance

The Gamecocks are simply a force to be reckoned with. Dawn Staley’s coaching acumen has long been revered, and it’s easy to see why. She has consistently built teams that are not only talented but also cohesive, with a relentless defense and an imposing offense that can overwhelm opponents. To defeat South Carolina, a team must either match their talent or play a near-perfect game. While Indiana couldn’t match the Gamecocks’ level of talent, they did give a commendable effort in the first half. Unfortunately, as has happened before, mistakes were costly, and South Carolina capitalized on every opportunity, pushing their lead when it mattered most. As one source put it, “It’s Dawn Staley, man. It happens.”

Impressive Defensive Effort

Despite the loss, Indiana can be proud of their defensive showing. Holding South Carolina to just 64 points in their own arena is no small feat. The Hoosiers’ defense played a major role in giving them an early lead. In the first half, the Gamecocks shot just 34.5% from the field, connecting on only 10 of 29 attempts. Indiana‘s defense, which has been a hallmark of Teri Moren’s coaching style, kept South Carolina from finding rhythm, especially from beyond the arc. The Gamecocks only attempted four three-pointers in the first half, reflecting Indiana‘s strong perimeter defense. While the Hoosiers struggled offensively, shooting just 3 of 12 from three-point range, they managed to hold onto the lead at halftime. Indiana’s defense is a bright spot in this game, even in the face of defeat.

Size and Matchups

When it comes to size, Indiana is competitive in the world of women’s college basketball. With three players standing over 6 feet tall and Chloe Moore-McNeil just under that mark, they have the height to compete. The only real outlier is 5’7″ Shay Ciezki, whose speed and quickness can give her an advantage offensively, even against a taller defense. But against South Carolina, that size difference was evident once again. The Gamecocks’ players are not only taller but stronger and faster, and their basketball IQ is exceptional. This size differential has proven challenging for Indiana in previous matchups, and once again, it was a deciding factor in this game.

As the Hoosiers look to the future, the size and athleticism of teams like South Carolina will be something to consider. While Indiana can hold their own in many areas, the Gamecocks’ dominance in these departments shows that there’s still work to be done as Indiana builds its program for the years ahead.