In a thrilling NCAA Tournament showdown, the top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks moved to the Sweet 16 with a 64-53 win over the No. 9 seed Indiana Hoosiers.
They started shakily, trailed in a tense first half, then rallied hard in the second half.
Their play showed clear resilience and firm determination.
The win gave head coach Dawn Staley a $25,000 bonus.
According to Steve Berkowitz of USA Today, her total bonuses now reach an impressive $180,000 this season.
In a hard-fought contest, the Gamecocks struggled at first.
By the third quarter, they found their rhythm and outscored the Hoosiers 26-14.
Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin each added 10 points, while Bree Hall led with 11 points.
They controlled the game on the boards with 37 rebounds, compared to Indiana’s 27, which showed their strength in the paint.
The Hoosiers pushed with a balanced offense, with four players scoring in double digits.
However, this effort did not overcome the determined Gamecocks.
Under Staley’s clear guidance, South Carolina has become one of the top teams in women’s college basketball.
They reached the Final Four six times in the last nine tournaments (2015, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024).
Having won three national titles (in 2017 and 2022), Staley now aims for a fourth in the upcoming 2025 Tournament.
A celebrated player in her own right, Staley ranks among the best in Virginia women’s basketball.
She surpassed 2,000 points, 700 rebounds, 700 assists, and 400 steals—a rare feat in the ACC.
In recognition of her achievements, she was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in April 2008. The Gamecocks are poised to continue their quest for a national championship, reinforcing Staley’s legacy as a leading figure in women’s college basketball.
This report also included insights from On3’s Sam Gillenwater.
