Joyce Edwards Powers South Carolina to Final Four Victory Over Texas; Gamecocks Return to Championship Game

In a thrilling Final Four matchup on Friday in Tampa, Florida, South Carolina’s women’s basketball team dominated the third quarter, outscoring Texas by 11 points to seal a 74-57 victory and punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament national championship game for the second consecutive year.

Leading the charge for the Gamecocks (35-3) was freshman Joyce Edwards, who delivered an impressive double-double in her first-ever Final Four appearance, contributing 13 points and 11 rebounds. South Carolina entered halftime with a slim three-point lead, but after the break, they exploded, outscoring the Longhorns (35-4) 20-9 in the third quarter, thanks in part to an 11-0 run.

South Carolina trailed Texas for most of the first quarter, but a pivotal 3-pointer by Te-Hina Paopao in the second quarter gave the Gamecocks their first lead of the night. From there, the teams exchanged the lead multiple times before South Carolina began to pull away in the second half.

The Gamecocks will face No. 2 seed UConn (35-3) in the national championship game on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET, after UConn demolished top-seeded UCLA 85-51 in the other semifinal. South Carolina’s previous meeting with UConn ended in a tough 87-58 loss at home in February.

**Joyce Edwards Shines in Historic Performance**

Joyce Edwards made history by becoming the first player in 25 years to come off the bench and record 10+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 5+ assists in a Final Four game. Edwards finished with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists, showcasing her all-around game.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the game, South Carolina led 61-48, thanks to Edwards’ continued dominance on both ends of the floor. Her physical play even led to a brief injury scare, but after receiving treatment for a cut, Edwards was quickly back in the game, continuing to contribute to her team’s commanding performance.

**South Carolina’s Strong Third Quarter**

The Gamecocks came out of halftime with a renewed focus, and their shooting was on fire early in the third quarter. Bree Hall nailed a 3-pointer and Chloe Kitts added a jumper, extending the lead to 43-37. Texas struggled to keep pace, and by the end of the quarter, South Carolina had extended its lead to 58-44, one quarter away from another shot at the national title.

**Madison Booker Faces Foul Trouble**

Madison Booker, Texas’ standout forward, was limited to just nine minutes of play in the first half due to foul trouble. She was forced to the bench after picking up her third foul in the opening quarter. Despite this, she contributed seven points and one rebound before sitting out for the rest of the half. South Carolina took advantage of her absence, finishing the first half on a 9-3 run to hold a 38-35 lead at the break.

**A Familiar Face: Dawn Staley’s Necklaces**

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was once again seen sporting her signature collection of necklaces, which have become a staple of her look during March Madness. Among them, two necklaces were made by *Blakeleigh Thompson*, a 7-year-old battling leukemia who shares a close bond with Staley. Another piece was a chain in the shape of the NCAA national championship trophy, gifted to Staley by South Carolina superfan *Plies*, featuring the years of the Gamecocks’ national championships (2017, 2022, 2024), along with a motivational verse from Psalm 46:5.

**A Glimpse of South Carolina’s Title Hopes**

The Gamecocks have won three national championships under Staley’s leadership—2017, 2022, and most recently in 2024. They are now aiming for their fourth title in the 2024-25 season, following a perfect 38-0 record last year.

South Carolina’s journey to the title game was further bolstered by the contributions of Edwards, who helped push the Gamecocks into a dominant position with her 12 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists, as South Carolina led 54-41 midway through the third quarter.

As the Gamecocks advance to their third national championship appearance in four years, they’ll face a formidable challenge from UConn, who have been on an impressive run of their own this tournament. The championship game will tip off at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday, broadcast live on ABC/ESPN.