Top-ranked South Carolina women defeat Duke, advance to their fifth consecutive Final Four

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Chloe Kitts contributed 14 points as defending national champion South Carolina advanced to the Final Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament for the fifth consecutive year, defeating Duke 54-50 on Sunday.

The top-seeded Gamecocks are now just two victories away from becoming the first team since UConn’s four-year championship streak from 2013 to 2016 to successfully defend their title. Next up, South Carolina will face the winner of tonight’s matchup between Texas and TCU, with the Final Four set to take place in Tampa, Florida this coming Friday.

On the other side, Duke, the second seed, was aiming for its first Final Four appearance since 2006. That year, Duke fell short in an overtime loss to Maryland in the championship game, and this time, the Blue Devils were hoping to join their men’s team in the Final Four ranks.

Dawn Staley Signs Baby After South Carolina’s Elite Eight Victory Over Duke

Live from Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama, where thousands of fans gathered to witness the South Carolina women’s basketball team’s thrilling 54-50 Elite Eight victory over the No. 2 Duke Blue Devils in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. It was an emotional win for the Gamecocks, and one special fan left with a unique souvenir – a signed onesie!

After the game, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley stayed behind to meet and sign autographs for fans. But one fan took it a step further, offering up their baby instead of a typical item like a shirt or hat. Coach Staley was happy to oblige, autographing the baby’s onesie as the crowd looked on in awe. The baby was decked out in South Carolina’s colors, sporting a garnet bow and a black jersey, a perfect little tribute to the Gamecocks.

“That was a first,” Staley said with a chuckle. “Yeah, my hand was shaking.”

Staley has a deep connection with her younger supporters, as she often wears beaded bracelets and necklaces given to her by children in hospitals. This includes a bracelet from a young boy battling sickle cell disease and two necklaces from Blakely, a young girl undergoing cancer treatments. Staley met Blakely during a visit to the UVA Children’s Hospital back in 2023.

“For us, it’s our world, it’s our passion, it’s what we do,” Staley explained earlier this month. “It’s really just basketball when you put it in perspective of what other people have to go through.”

South Carolina celebrated its Elite Eight victory by cutting down the nets in what is sure to be a memorable moment for both the team and their supporters. With this win, the defending champion Gamecocks are now headed to their fifth consecutive Final Four, where they’ll face the winner of the No. 1 Texas or No. 2 TCU matchup in Tampa Bay, Florida.