State Wolfpack.<\/a> In attendance were former Gamecocks, Aliyah Boston and A'ja Wilson.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd now they are the first team to head to the NCAA Finals with an undefeated record for the first time since the UConn Huskies in 2016. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
South Carolina entered this matchup as the heavy favorites by an 11.5-point spread after knocking off Presbyterian, UNC, Indiana, and Oregon State in the previous rounds. Leading the nation with a +29.3 point differential, they showed the basketball world just who they were on Friday. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a post-game interview with Indiana Fever center on ESPN, Staley shared a heartfelt moment with her former player. While Boston was a staple of their championship run, it was Iowa that sent them packing in last year's Final Four. Stating how proud she is of the former Gamecock, she reiterated they want to seek redemption for Boston. Boston was a four-year player for Staley at South Carolina and was drafted No.1 overall by Indiana in the 2023 WNBA Draft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\"We're excited\", Staley told ESPN's Aliyah Boston. \"This is the place we wanted to be. We want to do it for you. We really want to take care of Sunday for you and the freshies because you gave basketball everything you had, and you came up short in your senior year.\"<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Gamecocks broke the game open in the third quarter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tied 16 all in the first quarter, the Wolfpack kept the game relatively close, 32-31 at the have. While NC State had an incredible season, they truly never had a chance against the Gamecocks. Undefeated. Dominant. South Carolina steamrolled past another team in the tournament. Led by 6'7 center Kamila Cardoso,<\/a> she finished with a game-high 22 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks, on 10-12 field goal shooting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n