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No. 1 seed South Carolina is one step closer to winning back-to-back national championships for the first time in NCAA history since UConn's four-peat from 2013-2016.
South Carolina advanced to its 11th consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, the second-longest streak in the nation, but the Gamecocks didn't appear their usual dominant selves and trailed No. 4 Maryland at halftime. South Carolina, however, did just enough to secure a 71-67 win over Maryland to advance to its fifth straight Elite Eight, where they face No. 2 seed Duke in Birmingham, Ala.
"I think anytime you are coming off a national championship, you are the targeted one. Everybody, everybody wants to knock you off your throne," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said Saturday. "We got experience playing in the Elite Eight over the past four, five years ... they are tapping into some of that."
The Gamecocks have depth and defense on their side, ranking first in the nation in bench points per game (41.5) and fifth in blocks per game (5.9). Here's a look at the full Gamecocks women's basketball roster:
Here's South Carolina roster for the 2024-25 season, including each player's jersey number, their position, grade, height and hometown:
Joyce Edwards is averaging 13.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assist (36 games) in her first season at South Carolina. Edwards was named to the All-SEC Freshman team, in addition to the All-SEC First team. She scored a career-high 28 points against Florida in February, but was limited to five points in the Sweet 16.
MiLaysia Fulwiley scored a go-ahead layup with 2:22 remaining to secure a 71-67 win over Maryland to advance to its fifth straight Elite Eight. The sophomore guard is averaging 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Fulwiley has come off the bench all season, only registering three starts in 36 games, and was named the SEC's Sixth-Woman of the Year. She also picked up an All-SEC second team nod. Fulwiley's career-high is 24 points, which she's scored on two different occasions, most recently in the Gamecocks' win over SEC foe Vanderbilt in February. She had 23 points in South Carolina's Sweet 16 win.
Chloe Kitts is averaging a career-high 10.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season. Kitts has registered back-to-back double-doubles in the second round and Sweet 16. Her career-high is 25 points, which she dropped on Vanderbilt in the SEC tournament.
Paopao has been known for being a knock-down shooter throughout her career, which started in Oregon (2020-23) before she transferred to South Carolina last year. She's averaging 9.5 points, shooting 44.0% from the field, in addition to 2.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists. But Paopao's defense has been catching some attention lately. She recorded a career-high four blocks and two steals in South Carolina’s 64-53 second-round win over Indiana and was formerly inducted into the "Seat Belt Gang." Paopao also earned an All-SEC second team nod.
The “Seat Belt Gang” is known for setting the tone defensively for the Gamecocks. The group originated as a two-woman show made up of SEC All-Defensive Team guard Raven Johnson and Bree Hall, who regularly celebrate their defensive prowess by strapping imaginary seat belts across their chest after guarding the opposing team's best player every night. But the duo is now a trio following Paopao’s induction into the exclusive club. “I’m just really proud to be part of the Seat Belt Gang,” Paopao said.
SOUTH CAROLINA:'Seat Belt Gang' has a new member. Here's how the celebration began.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina women's basketball roster breakdown: Stats, more
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South Carolina advanced to its 11th consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, the second-longest streak in the nation, but the Gamecocks didn't appear their usual dominant selves and trailed No. 4 Maryland at halftime. South Carolina, however, did just enough to secure a 71-67 win over Maryland to advance to its fifth straight Elite Eight, where they face No. 2 seed Duke in Birmingham, Ala.
"I think anytime you are coming off a national championship, you are the targeted one. Everybody, everybody wants to knock you off your throne," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said Saturday. "We got experience playing in the Elite Eight over the past four, five years ... they are tapping into some of that."
The Gamecocks have depth and defense on their side, ranking first in the nation in bench points per game (41.5) and fifth in blocks per game (5.9). Here's a look at the full Gamecocks women's basketball roster:
South Carolina women's basketball roster
Here's South Carolina roster for the 2024-25 season, including each player's jersey number, their position, grade, height and hometown:
- 0 Te-Hina Paopao G Sr. 5' 9" - Oceanside, CA
- 1 Maddy McDaniel G Fr. 5' 9" - Upper Marlboro, MD
- 2 Ashlyn Watkins F Jr. 6' 3" - Columbia, SC
- 5 Tessa Johnson G Soph. 6' 0" - Albertville, MN
- 8 Joyce Edwards F Fr. 6' 3" - Camden, SC
- 12 MiLaysia Fulwiley G Soph. 5' 10" - Columbia, SC
- 15 Adhel Tac F Fr. 6' 5" - Grand Prairie, TX
- 20 Sania Feagin F Sr. 6' 3" - Ellenwood, GA
- 21 Chloe Kitts F Jr. 6' 2" - Oviedo, FL
- 23 Bree Hall G Sr. 6' 0" - Dayton, OH
- 25 Raven Johnson G Jr. 5' 9" - Atlanta, GA
- 30 Maryam Dauda F Jr. 6' 4" - Bentonville, AR
- 35 Sakima Walker C Sr. 6' 5" - Columbus, OH
No. 8 Joyce Edwards stats
Joyce Edwards is averaging 13.0 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.1 assist (36 games) in her first season at South Carolina. Edwards was named to the All-SEC Freshman team, in addition to the All-SEC First team. She scored a career-high 28 points against Florida in February, but was limited to five points in the Sweet 16.
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No. 12 MiLaysia Fulwiley stats
MiLaysia Fulwiley scored a go-ahead layup with 2:22 remaining to secure a 71-67 win over Maryland to advance to its fifth straight Elite Eight. The sophomore guard is averaging 12.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Fulwiley has come off the bench all season, only registering three starts in 36 games, and was named the SEC's Sixth-Woman of the Year. She also picked up an All-SEC second team nod. Fulwiley's career-high is 24 points, which she's scored on two different occasions, most recently in the Gamecocks' win over SEC foe Vanderbilt in February. She had 23 points in South Carolina's Sweet 16 win.
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No. 21 Chloe Kitts stats
Chloe Kitts is averaging a career-high 10.3 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game this season. Kitts has registered back-to-back double-doubles in the second round and Sweet 16. Her career-high is 25 points, which she dropped on Vanderbilt in the SEC tournament.
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No. 0 Te-Hina Paopao stats
Paopao has been known for being a knock-down shooter throughout her career, which started in Oregon (2020-23) before she transferred to South Carolina last year. She's averaging 9.5 points, shooting 44.0% from the field, in addition to 2.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists. But Paopao's defense has been catching some attention lately. She recorded a career-high four blocks and two steals in South Carolina’s 64-53 second-round win over Indiana and was formerly inducted into the "Seat Belt Gang." Paopao also earned an All-SEC second team nod.
You must be registered for see images attach
What is South Carolina's 'Seat Belt Gang?'
The “Seat Belt Gang” is known for setting the tone defensively for the Gamecocks. The group originated as a two-woman show made up of SEC All-Defensive Team guard Raven Johnson and Bree Hall, who regularly celebrate their defensive prowess by strapping imaginary seat belts across their chest after guarding the opposing team's best player every night. But the duo is now a trio following Paopao’s induction into the exclusive club. “I’m just really proud to be part of the Seat Belt Gang,” Paopao said.
SOUTH CAROLINA:'Seat Belt Gang' has a new member. Here's how the celebration began.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina women's basketball roster breakdown: Stats, more
Continue reading...
