The South Carolina Gamecocks women’s basketball team secured their fifth consecutive Final Four appearance by edging out the Duke Blue Devils 54-50 in a thrilling Elite Eight matchup on March 30, 2025, at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama.
In a game marked by intense defense and strategic play, South Carolina’s Chloe Kitts led all scorers with 14 points. Her performance included pivotal free throws in the final moments, earning her the Most Outstanding Player of the region honors.
The Gamecocks, coached by Dawn Staley, demonstrated resilience after trailing 42-38 entering the fourth quarter. A decisive 8-0 run at the start of the period shifted the momentum in their favor. Despite Duke’s Toby Fournier narrowing the gap to 52-50 with just under three minutes remaining, South Carolina’s defense held firm. A critical stop prevented Duke from taking the lead, and Kitts sealed the victory with two free throws in the final seconds.
This victory positions the Gamecocks as strong contenders in the upcoming Final Four, where they aim to become the first team to repeat as national champions since UConn’s four consecutive titles from 2013 to 2016.