TAMPA, Fla. — South Carolina women's basketball is returning to the national championship For the second consecutive season and for the third time since 2022.
The No. 1 Gamecocks (34-3) will go up against the No. 2 seeded UConn, who defeated South Carolina during the regular season. However, the coach Dawn Staley Is 3-0 in championship games.
Following their victory over No. 1 Texas with a score of 74-57, Final Four On Friday at Amalie Arena, when Staley was questioned regarding her unbeaten streak leading up to the championship match on Sunday (3 p.m., ABC), she addressed the topic.
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“I don’t even mention it,” Staley stated. “The focus is entirely on securing victory for this upcoming game. Whatever occurred before won’t aid us on Sunday—nothing will.”
The Huskies (35-3) defeated South Carolina by 29 points at the Colonial Life Arena on February 16th, marking a replay of the 2022 national championship match. In this previous encounter, the Gamecocks triumphed over UConn with a score of 64-49, securing their second-ever title for the program.
In 2017, Staley won her first championship. This victory featured then-prospect A'ja Wilson, currently an established star in the WNBA, defeating Vic Schaefer during his tenure as coach of Mississippi State. Now at Texas with a record of 35 wins and four losses, Schaefer concluded the 2024–25 campaign having faced Staley and South Carolina three times and lost once.
For senior athletes Sania Feagin and Bree Hall, along with redshirt junior Raven Johnson, this Sunday will signify their third championship game appearance within a span of four years with the team.
“I believe that participating in the game and observing how it unfolds is the only way to gain an advantage,” Staley stated. “Claiming that we have a perfect record in national championship matches doesn’t — I wish it did provide some benefit, like giving us a 10-point lead due to our unbeaten status. Still, I’m quite optimistic about this,” added Staley with a laugh.
MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson, sophomores, remain unbeaten in championship matches, joined by fifth-year transfer Te-Hina Paopao, all members of the victorious 2024 squad.
Lulu Kesin reports on South Carolina sports for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. You can reach her via email. lkesin@gannett.com And follow her on X, previously known as Twitter, at @Lulukesin
The article initially appeared on Greenville News: Dawn Staley has an impeccable record in NCAA championship games. Could this advantage make a difference against UConn under Coach Geno Auriemma?
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