After going wire-to-wire as the nation’s top team, the South Carolina Gamecocks will play for an NCAA championship on Sunday.
Aliyah Boston dominated in the paint, and South Carolina cruised past No. 1 seed Louisville, 72-59, in the Final Four on Friday to clinch the program’s second-ever appearance in the title game.
Celebrate GAMECOCKS Celebrate 🎉#WFinalFour x @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/Y9SWyHXsne— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 2, 2022
Celebrate GAMECOCKS Celebrate 🎉#WFinalFour x @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/Y9SWyHXsne
Boston led the Gamecocks with 23 points, 18 rebounds and four assists, notching her first double-double since her 27-game double-double streak was halted during the Creighton matchup.
Four other South Carolina starters finished in double figures. Brea Beal recorded 12 points and three rebounds, while Destanni Henderson added 11 points and four assists. Victaria Saxton and Zia Cooke each ended the night with 10 points.
The Gamecocks shut down Louisville’s offense, with the team converting only one 3-pointer and star Hailey Van Lith logging just nine points.
3Q: Player of the Year type of moment for @AA_Boston! Rips the momentum away from the Cardinals in the closing seconds of the third!📺 ESPN https://t.co/VVFUEPQoor#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/66ZuRK5PuD— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) April 2, 2022
3Q: Player of the Year type of moment for @AA_Boston! Rips the momentum away from the Cardinals in the closing seconds of the third!📺 ESPN https://t.co/VVFUEPQoor#MarchMadness pic.twitter.com/66ZuRK5PuD
“It feels amazing we’ve been waiting all season for this moment and it’s finally here,” Henderson said after the game.
South Carolina will meet UConn on Sunday at 8 p.m, ET on ESPN in the NCAA title game.