By Rosemary
Top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball delivered a commanding display on Saturday, overwhelming fourth-seeded Oklahoma Sooners women’s basketball 94-68 to secure a place in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Guard Ta’Niya Latson led the charge with an electrifying 28-point performance, while Raven Johnson added 18 points in a game that showcased South Carolina’s depth, efficiency, and defensive intensity. The victory keeps the Gamecocks firmly on course for another deep postseason run, as they now await the winner of the matchup between TCU Horned Frogs women’s basketball and Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball for a spot in the Final Four in Phoenix.
South Carolina, now 34-3 on the season, wasted no time asserting control. Latson, appearing in her first Sweet 16 after transferring from Florida State, set the tone early with aggressive scoring and confident playmaking. She accounted for eight of her team’s first 10 points, igniting a 10-0 opening run that immediately put Oklahoma on the back foot.
The Gamecocks maintained that momentum throughout the first quarter, combining sharp offensive execution with disciplined defense. Johnson contributed nine early points, helping extend the lead to 23-13 by the end of the opening period. Oklahoma struggled to find rhythm against South Carolina’s pressure, particularly as turnovers began to mount.
The second quarter proved decisive. Oklahoma, which finished the season 26-8, faltered with three turnovers in its first four possessions of the period. South Carolina capitalized ruthlessly, converting defensive stops into fast-break opportunities and second-chance points. Latson delivered one of the defining moments of the half with a four-point play in the closing seconds, stretching the lead to 47-28.
Despite forcing a stop on the ensuing possession, Oklahoma missed a clear opportunity to close the gap before halftime when Sahara Williams failed to convert a wide-open layup at the buzzer. By the break, the Gamecocks had built a commanding advantage, powered largely by Latson’s 18 points and Johnson’s 16. Notably, standout forward Joyce Edwards was held scoreless in the first half, yet South Carolina still maintained complete control.
Any hopes of a second-half comeback were quickly extinguished. South Carolina made a concerted effort to involve Edwards early in the third quarter, and she responded by scoring the team’s first four points of the period. The Gamecocks continued to dominate both ends of the floor, effectively shutting down Oklahoma’s offensive rhythm while extending their lead beyond reach.
Edwards finished with eight points and nine rebounds, contributing significantly on the boards and in defensive sequences even without a high scoring output. Meanwhile, Oklahoma found limited success through Aaliyah Chavez, who led her team with 21 points, and Raegan Beers, who added 14. However, their efforts were not enough to counter South Carolina’s balanced attack and relentless pace.
The result marked another milestone for the Gamecocks, who have now reached the national semifinals in six of the past eight tournaments and captured three national championships during that span. Their consistency on the national stage continues to underscore their status as one of the dominant programs in women’s college basketball.
For Oklahoma, the loss ended a promising campaign and extended a long wait for a return to the Final Four, with their last appearance coming during the 2009-10 season.
Earlier in the season, Oklahoma had handed South Carolina its only regular-season loss in Southeastern Conference play with a 94-82 overtime victory, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this rematch. This time, however, the Gamecocks delivered a decisive response, demonstrating growth and resilience when it mattered most.
Looking ahead, South Carolina prepares for an Elite Eight showdown with either TCU or Virginia. While recent history between the programs is limited, head coach Dawn Staley has deep ties to Virginia, where she starred as a player and led the Cavaliers to three Final Four appearances during her collegiate career.
With momentum firmly on their side and key players peaking at the right time, the Gamecocks now stand just one win away from another trip to the Final Four, continuing a run of excellence that has defined their program in recent years.
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