#Gamecocks headed back to Final Four after 70-58 victory over Oregon St. (AUDIO)

South Carolina overcame a sub-par shooting performance thanks to 28 second-chance points and stifling defense to claim a 70-58 victory over Oregon State in Albany, NY, Sunday.

While many South Carolinians were focused on keeping their children’s Easter linen dresses and seersucker pants free from dirt and grime, the Gamecocks were getting downright filthy defensively in the second half. After allowing Oregon State to make 6 of 14 (43%) from the 3-point line in the first half, USC upped the intensity and held the Beavers to 2 of 11 (43%) from beyond the arc in the second half.

As is often the case, South Carolina’s depth played a major factor after halftime. The Gamecocks reserves outscored Oregon State’s bench by 24, led by Tessa Johnson and Ashlyn Watkins. Johnson scored 12 of her 15 points in the second half and Watkins grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.

After USC scuffled through a lackluster first half, hitting just 33% from the floor, Kamilla Cardoso (12 points, nine rebounds) keyed a 10-0 spurt in the third. Cardoso, who was named the regional’s Most Outstanding Player, scored six points on 3 of 3 shooting in a five-minute span to help the Gamecocks take control.

Oregon State made a fourth-quarter run, however, trimming the lead to four with 3:55 to play. Tessa Johnson answered right back, scoring on a driving layup while drawing a foul. Johnson’s free throw fattened the lead back to seven. South Carolina’s defense took over from there. With 1:53 remaining, Watkins came up with a block near the top of the key. The ensuing scramble resulted in a jump ball that favored the Gamecocks. In addition to the block, Watkins snatched five rebounds in the final three minutes.

USC (36-0) is headed back to the Final Four for the fourth consecutive season and sixth time since 2015. South Carolina will square off with NC State in Cleveland, Oh., Friday. The Gamecocks and the Wolfpack will tipoff 30 minutes after the first game, expected to be at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Final Stats

Postgame press conference with Dawn Staley,
Ashlyn Watkins and Tessa Johnson