Final: Gamecocks Survive Second Half Woes, Advancing to Elite Eight

Joseph Griffin | Mar 29, 2024

Mar 28, 2024; Albany, NY, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley speaks to her players / Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports

Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks were coming into their 10th straight Sweet 16 appearance and a 34-0 record with their goal being the same: Keep the main thing the main thing. South Carolina needed to come into this game making sure they put the pressure on Indiana with their strength of rebounding and aggressiveness letting their depth take over. However, the Hoosiers made that game much closer than some might have expected.

The first quarter was as good as one could hope from behind the arch for South Carolina, going 5-7 to take the early 26-15 lead over Indiana in the first quarter. While they had a sluggish three minutes, allowing the game to be tied at 12 at one point, they got back to Carolina basketball and finished the quarter strong. Indiana would make a small run to start the second quarter, but the defense would adjust quickly for South Carolina.

The Gamecocks forced five turnovers in the first half and capitalized off it with 15 points off those turnovers. Kamilla Cardoso was the difference maker in the paint both on offense and defense with 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assist and 2 blocks in the first half alone.

Mar 10, 2024; Greensville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso (10) shoots as / Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

In the third quarter, Indiana was in control throughout the majority of the time, decreasing Carolina's once 20-point lead to 10 heading into the final quarter of the game. The three-ball continued to fall for Indiana, forcing South Carolina's hand, while Indiana ran into a bit of foul trouble toward the end of the third.

The final quarter of the Sweet 16 matchup was too close for comfort, as the Gamecocks only had five points with less than three minutes remaining. Indiana continued to live and die by the three balls, and Carolina continued to try to feed Cardoso and stay ahead. Raven Johnson would hit a huge three to put South Carolina up four late in the game, and the Gamecocks would get a big defensive stop to advance to their fourth straight Elite Eight.

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