Full Breakdown: South Carolina returns to Final Four, beating Duke 54-50
In a dramatic and hard-fought contest, the South Carolina Gamecocks have officially secured their return to the Final Four, edging out the Duke Blue Devils in a nail-biting 54-50 victory. The clash, filled with intensity and defensive grit, marks yet another major milestone for the Gamecocks’ growing legacy in college basketball.
Held at a packed regional venue brimming with passionate fans from both sides, the matchup lived up to its billing as a heavyweight showdown. From the opening tip, both teams showcased relentless defense, making scoring a challenge throughout. But in the end, it was South Carolina who maintained composure in the clutch, grinding out a win that sends them to their second Final Four appearance in program history.
The Gamecocks were led by senior guard Maya Reynolds, who poured in 17 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, including a critical steal and fast-break layup in the final minute to seal the win. Her performance earned praise not only for her scoring ability, but for her calm leadership down the stretch.
“I just wanted to leave everything on the floor,” Reynolds said during the post-game press conference. “We’ve worked all year for this moment. This is for everyone who believed in us — and for those who didn’t.”
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was visibly emotional as the final buzzer sounded. “This group has heart,” she said. “They’ve battled adversity, injuries, doubts. But they stuck together, played for each other, and earned their way back to the Final Four.”
The game itself was a defensive slugfest. Both teams shot under 40% from the field, with Duke managing only 18 points in the first half. The Blue Devils staged a late comeback, cutting South Carolina’s lead to just two points with under two minutes remaining. However, a missed three-pointer by Duke guard Tiana Moore and subsequent free throws by South Carolina’s Alyssa Grant helped ice the win.
Duke’s head coach Kara Lawson acknowledged the fight in her team but credited South Carolina’s poise. “We didn’t execute the way we wanted in key moments. Give South Carolina credit — they made the plays that mattered,” Lawson said.
The return to the Final Four is a statement for South Carolina, who many doubted after early-season struggles and key roster changes. But the Gamecocks have rallied behind Staley’s experience and a cohesive, tough-minded roster that seems built for postseason battles.
Fans in Columbia erupted at the final whistle, celebrating their team’s return to the national stage. Social media lit up with congratulatory messages from alumni, celebrities, and even rival programs. The school is planning a campus-wide celebration as excitement builds toward the next round.
