Albany, NY—In a showdown with two elite bigs in the country Kamilla Cardoso and Raegan Beers at MVP Arena in Albany, South Carolina’s women’s basketball team emerged victorious against Oregon State, clinching a Final Four spot with a commanding 70-58 win. The sold-out crowd of 13,568 spectators witnessed a masterful display of skill and grit from both teams, but it was South Carolina’s resilience and stellar performance that ultimately sealed the deal.
“Well, first of all, Happy Easter to everybody. It’s great to be here on Easter Sunday and be with everybody and our team, just for our team family to be together. I don’t think you change as a coach. Your values, your morals are what you are. They’re the same as when you started coaching. You evolve as a coach as far as X’s and O’s, and you have to evolve because of the way kids have changed over time, right? You coach differently because of that.” Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder said.
The first half saw South Carolina take the lead with a score of 37-33, fueled by the impressive performance of Brea Hall, who contributed 7 points and 4 rebounds. Despite a strong start from Oregon State, South Carolina’s tenacious defense kept them in control, setting the stage for an intense battle in the second half.
As the game progressed, South Carolina continued to showcase their defensive prowess, stifling Oregon State’s offense and limiting their opportunities. Players like Kamilla Cardoso and Raegan Beers exemplified both team’s relentless determination, effectively shutting down their opponents and dominating the court.
“Coach Bluder is a Hall-of-Famer coach. I think the biggest for me throughout the recruiting process that I loved about her is she’s a player’s coach. She’s not going to have a set offense that you have to run. She’s going to tailor everything to what she has on her team and what’s going to put her team in positions to be very successful.” Iowa guard Caitlin Clark said.
Reagan Beers led the Beavers with 16 points but was hampered in the first half with three quick fouls. Timea Gardiner and Donovyn Hunter both chipped in 10 points a piece for the contest.
Leading the charge for South Carolina was Tessa Johnson, whose impressive performance saw her tally 15 points and 3 assists, guiding her team to victory with poise and precision. Additionally, Cardoso made a significant impact with 12 points and 9 rebounds, earning her the title of tournament MVP for her exceptional contributions throughout the tournament.
With this hard-fought victory, South Carolina has punched their ticket to the Final Four, marking another milestone in their journey towards basketball glory. As they prepare to face their next challenge, they carry with them the confidence and determination that defined their season, ready to continue their pursuit of excellence on the grandest stage of them all.
