Final Four bound! South Carolina downs Creighton to advance to Minneapolis
South Carolina is one step closer to its ultimate goal.
The No. 1-seeded Gamecocks (33-2) defeated 10th-seeded Creighton 80-50 in Greensboro Coliseum on Sunday, winning the Greensboro Region and clinching their spot in the NCAA tournament’s Final Four.
South Carolina didn’t downplay the Bluejays (23-10), who saw their program-best March Madness run end in the Elite Eight. Creighton made it to the program’s first Sweet 16 and Elite Eight with upset wins over No. 7 Colorado, No. 2 Iowa and No. 3 Iowa State, but wasn’t able to advance past the Gamecocks.
“Creighton, congratulate them on a tremendous year,” head coach Dawn Staley said. “Nobody probably had them in their bracket being in the Elite Eight first time in their program history. And it is really something to be proud of.
“We had a lot of firsts a few years ago, and I hope they hold on to it and come back stronger and move further in the tournament because it only strengthens our game and it helps our game. So congratulations to them.”
Staley’s USC is headed to the program’s fourth Final Four, and second in a row, set to face the winner of Monday night’s Wichita Regional championship game between No. 1 Louisville and No. 3 Michigan.
Here’s what we learned about the Gamecocks.
USC starters lead tournament-best offensive effort
South Carolina’s 51% field goal percentage in the Elite Eight was its best offensive performance by a long shot. The Gamecocks hadn’t shot better than 35% throughout March Madness, but they saw more of their shots go through against the Bluejays.
Aliyah Boston led the way for South Carolina once again, though her double-double streak ended on Sunday. She left the game with 6:37 to go after scoring 19 points and grabbing seven rebounds.
“When it’s all said and done, Aliyah just wants to win,” Staley said, “so she’s going to do the things to win basketball games, and it’s fortunate for us she did it (this season) in a double-double fashion.”
Victaria Saxton counted a double-double Sunday, scoring 11 points with 11 rebounds. Brea Beal scored 12 points for her season-high, while Destanni Henderson added 10 points. Kamilla Cardoso and Laeticia Amihere scored nine points each.
USC’s power in the paint spells victory
The Gamecocks were too much for Creighton to handle in the paint, outscoring the Bluejays 42 to 22 in the area. South Carolina out-rebounded the Bluejays 43 to 23.
USC connected on 19 of its 30 layups and found success on second-chance opportunities, scoring 14 points off 11 offensive rebounds.
Hot shooting boosts Gamecocks early
South Carolina made just 33% of its shots against North Carolina in the Sweet 16, but it was boosted by an efficient 60% clip in the first half against Creighton.
The Gamecocks scored 30 of their 46 first-half points in the paint, using a size advantage against the smaller Bluejays. South Carolina maintained a strong advantage on the boards as well, out-rebounding Creighton 20 to 9 in the first half.
The Gamecocks didn’t let up defensively, either, stifling the Bluejays’ prolific 3-point shooting to 3 of 7 in the first half. South Carolina outscored Creighton 23 to 9 in the second quarter and held the Bluejays to a 40.7% field goal percentage in the first half.
Final Four: South Carolina in NCAA women’s basketball tournament
Who: No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks (33-2) vs. No. 1 Louisville Cardinals (28-4) OR No. 3 Michigan Wolverines (25-6)
When: Friday, time TBA
Where: Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Watch on TV and stream: TBA
This story was originally published March 27, 2022 at 9:04 PM with the headline "Final Four bound! South Carolina downs Creighton to advance to Minneapolis."
