South Carolina Basketball’s Reaction to Sweet 16 Thriller vs. Maryland: ‘It Felt Like a Loss’

Live Update from Birmingham, Ala. — South Carolina Survives Maryland in Sweet 16 Thriller, 71-67

In a nail-biting Sweet 16 showdown, the South Carolina women’s basketball team narrowly triumphed over Maryland, securing a 71-67 victory. Despite their status as reigning national champions and entering the tournament as the top seed, the Gamecocks have found themselves in a familiar but uncomfortable position — trailing at halftime in both of their tournament wins.

After the win, the locker room felt more somber than expected. There was relief, but also a palpable sense of disappointment. Te-Hina Paopao, a senior guard, voiced the team’s feelings, saying, “Today felt like a loss to us.”

The Gamecocks, who finished the regular season with a mere three losses and an NCAA-best seven victories over top-10 teams, now find themselves in a more precarious spot. Sania Feagin, a senior forward, expressed concern, saying, “We’re down half the game, and we can’t do that anymore. It’s March.”

The win over Maryland marks South Carolina’s second consecutive tournament game in which they’ve trailed at halftime — down by two points at the break against the Terrapins, and just one against Indiana in the second round. Coach Dawn Staley knows her team must sharpen up, stating that the focus is on preparing and maintaining confidence.

Leading the charge for South Carolina was MiLaysia Fulwiley, the sophomore guard who came off the bench to score 23 points, just one shy of her career high. The Gamecocks are the nation’s leaders in bench points, averaging 41.5 per game. Fulwiley remarked after the game, “Every game I feel like I need to do more.”

With the win, the Gamecocks set their sights on their next challenge: the No. 2 seed Duke Blue Devils. After Duke’s 47-38 victory over North Carolina, South Carolina will face their toughest test yet in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

Stay tuned as the Gamecocks prepare for what will surely be another intense matchup.