South Carolina Eyes Redemption in Final Four Showdown
The South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team is gearing up for a high-stakes Final Four matchup against Texas on Friday night, carrying a 2-1 record against the Longhorns this season. But the road to a national championship won’t be easy—if they advance, they’ll face a team that has already handed them a loss this season, whether it’s UCLA or UConn.
Earlier in the season, the Gamecocks suffered two rare defeats. In November, UCLA snapped their 43-game winning streak, and in February, UConn ended their remarkable 71-game home winning streak. Now, as they stand just two victories away from a national title, those losses are fueling their motivation to rewrite the narrative.
MiLaysia Fulwiley, one of the Gamecocks’ standout stars, spoke on Thursday about how these setbacks have only strengthened their determination.
“I think that motivates us to want to play better,” Fulwiley told ESPN. “We didn’t have our great games versus them, and the teams that we played had outstanding games. They couldn’t miss. So it makes me hope and pray and feel like the roles are going to be reversed. We’re going to be the ones not able to miss, and we’re going to be the ones that lock in and play the better basketball.”
She continued, “We just have to go out there and show that our best basketball has yet to come. So it motivates me because we owe them one.”
Speaking to Noah Chast of ABC Columbia during media availability, Fulwiley emphasized that she’s ready to prove South Carolina belongs on this stage.
“I’m so ready to show everyone that we belong,” she said. “We are supposed to be here. We’re gonna win this national championship.”
The Gamecocks know that no matter which team they face if they beat Texas, this will be their chance to silence the doubters and prove those earlier losses were just off nights.
“It’s going to take all 12 of us to walk out with those wins, and I think we will,” Fulwiley predicted.
Even though South Carolina has won two of their three matchups against Texas, the team is approaching the game with full intensity and focus. Fulwiley shared her thoughts with Claire Foley about the Gamecocks’ mindset heading into the showdown.
“They can expect us to come out and play strong and fight for 40 minutes. … Our practice this week has been great and I feel like everyone is on the same page. Everyone kind of understands the assignment, which is to win. I feel very confident about the game coming up.”
With redemption on their minds and a national title within reach, South Carolina is ready to leave everything on the court in their quest for glory.
