By ALANIS THAMES
TAMPA — Defending nationwide champion South Carolina left little question it could return to the title recreation, getting 14 factors from Te-Hina Paopao and overwhelming Texas 74-57 on Friday evening within the Closing 4 of the ladies’s NCAA Match.
The Gamecocks are a win away from turning into the primary group to safe consecutive titles since UConn gained 4 straight from 2013-16. The Huskies have been set to face UCLA in Friday’s second semifinal.
Freshman Joyce Edwards added 13 factors, 11 rebounds and 6 assists for South Carolina (35-3), which used its expertise and poise to climate an early deficit and took management with its depth at each ends of the ground.
Three South Carolina gamers completed in double figures — Bree Corridor had 11 factors — and the Gamecocks dominated Texas within the submit with 40 factors within the paint to the Longhorns’ 22.
Madison Booker had 11 factors and three fouls for the Longhorns (35-4), who have been making an attempt to succeed in their first championship since 1986. They have been within the Closing 4 for the primary time since 2003 after a dominant season, which was their first within the Southeastern Convention after coming over from the Massive 12.
Texas went 15-1 in opposition to the SEC within the common season and shared the convention title with the Gamecocks.
