Dawn Staley's honest 3-word conclusion about South Carolina's offense summed up its national title game loss
Dawn Staley's honest 3-word conclusion about South Carolina's offense summed up its national title game loss
Holly Rowe: "Who else can score for you right now? Where do those points come from?"
Dawn Staley: "I don't know."#NCAAWBB pic.twitter.com/k1K45K7ook — Jennifer X. Williams (@JenXperience) April 6, 2025
South Carolina was this close to repeating as women's college basketball national champions. But in the end, Dawn Staley's dynamic group simply couldn't overcome Geno Auriemma's Connecticut Huskies to go back-to-back.
In fact, other than perhaps the opening tip and first few minutes, Sunday's 82-59 national title game loss to UConn was never all that competitive.
Such is life. Such is sports.
Arguably, the biggest reason South Carolina couldn't make it a more competitive affair was its struggling offense. The Gamecocks shot just 34.4 percent from the field and only 25 percent from 3-point land. Eleven sloppy turnovers didn't help matters as a focused UConn took advantage and took South Carolina apart in the process. It sure felt like the Gamecocks just ran out of steam at the worst time.
At the start of the fourth quarter, you could start to tell Staley was resigned to the first national title game defeat of her coaching career. When ESPN's Holly Rowe asked how South Carolina could fix its offense to attempt a rally, Staley sounded exasperated, claiming she didn't really have an answer or see an easy remedy mid-game for her group.
Oof:
When the opposing coach is talking like that, you know you've done something right if you were in the position UConn was in.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
Texas Longhorns add five-star kicker to 2026 class
Texas Longhorns add five-star kicker to 2026 class The Longhorns kicking game got a major boost on Sunday The Texas Longhorns have made another significant addition to their 2026 class. On Sunday, they got a commitment from five-star kicker Jake Collett. The Georgia native is the tenth player to join the Longhorns 2026 class. He chose the Longhorns over various programs, including UConn and Army. Over the last few years, Collett has made headlines with his leg. In Kohl Kicking's rankings, he ranked as the No. 2 overall kicker and No. 60 punter in his class. The newest Longhorn set himself apart at the 2025 Midwest Showcase Camp, where he showed off his range of up to 65 yards. " Collett had his best showing to date at the 2025 Midwest Showcase Camp," Kohl's scouting report said. "He was dominant throughout the drill work and competitions. He won the kickoff competition and had a couple of kickoffs go 75-80 yards with 4.3 seconds of hang time. Collett also showed consistent field goal range out to 65 yards away at camp." Collett joins a 2026 class that is full of talent. It also includes five-stars like quarterback Dia Bell, long snapper Trott O'Neal, and athlete Jermaine Bishop Jr., four-star defensive lineman Dylan Berymon, and three-star talents like wide receiver Chris Stewart, offensive lineman Nicolas Robertson, and safety Yaheim Riley. That group could continue growing with plenty of talent left on the board. With Collett now officially in the mix, excitement is building over what his future holds. If he can meet expectations, his career in Austin will be full of unforgettable kicks. Texas begins its regular season against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Aug. 30. That is a game Collett and many of his future teammates will be watching closely.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Arias homers to lead Drive past Emperors, 7-2
GREENVILLE, S.C. (Greenville Drive) — Franklin Arias homered and drove in two runs while Eduardo Rivera struck out eight over 5 2/3 strong innings as the Greenville Drive rolled past the Rome Emperors 7–2 on Sunday afternoon at Fluor Field, taking the six-game series five games to one. A four-run third inning and a three-run sixth provided more than enough offense for the Drive (30–27), who capped off a dominant week and climbed three games over .500. Rome (27–30) was held to just one hit in seven at-bats with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base. Rivera (3–1) turned in another sharp outing, scattering six hits and allowing just one run — a solo homer by E.J. Exposito in the sixth — while striking out eight and walking one. Erik Rivera and Darvin Garcia combined for 3 1/3 innings of relief to close out the win. Arias finished 2-for-5 and launched a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth, part of a three-hit inning that helped Greenville pull away. Yophery Rodriguez added two hits, including a double and a stolen base, while Freili Encarnacion went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. The Drive broke open a scoreless tie in the third after Rodriguez and Nelly Taylor reached base to set the table. Antonio Anderson singled, and Nazzan Zanetello followed with an RBI knock to left that plated two. A throwing error by Rome left fielder Jace Grady allowed a third run to score, and Brooks Brannon added a fourth on a fielder's choice that was mishandled by shortstop Lizandro Espinoza. Rome starter Cedric De Grandpre (1–1) took the loss, charged with four runs — three earned — over three innings. He struggled with command, walking three and allowing four hits in his 69-pitch outing. After Exposito's solo shot in the sixth, Greenville responded quickly. Brannon led off the home half with a single, and Encarnacion followed with a double to left. Justin Riemer's sacrifice fly brought home Brannon before Arias connected on a two-run blast down the right-field line off Rome reliever Samuel Strickland to make it 7–1. Exposito, the lone bright spot offensively for Rome, went 3-for-4 and accounted for both runs — adding an RBI single in the eighth. But the rest of the Emperors lineup struggled to solve Greenville's pitching, striking out 12 times. The Drive out-hit Rome 10–7 and took advantage of three defensive errors by the Emperors, two of which led directly to early runs. Greenville finished the series having outscored Rome 33–14 over the six-game stretch. The Drive return to action Tuesday as they hit the road to face the Hudson Valley Renegades for a six-game series. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Austin Smotherman overcomes 4-shot deficit over final 10 holes to win BMW Charity Pro-Am at -25; Doc Redman & Bryson Nimmer best of locals in a tie for 17th
Greer – Austin Smotherman overcomes a 4-shot deficit over final 10 holes to win BMW Charity Pro-Am at -25. Smotherman made a birdie putt of more than 40-feet to secure his second career Korn Ferry Tour victory. Carl Yuan, Pierceson Coody & Sebastian Cappelen finish tied for 2nd at -22. Former Clemson golfers, Doc Redman & Bryson Nimmer are the best of the locals as they finish tied for 17th at -14. Boiling Springs High School alum, Trent Phillips finishes tied for 24th at -13. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
