South Carolina Defeats TCU, Advances to 6th Straight Final Four

Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley leads team to another deep NCAA Tournament run

Mar. 30, 2026 at 11:07pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a women's basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of garnet and black colors representing the South Carolina Gamecocks.South Carolina's dominant run in the NCAA Tournament continues, as the Gamecocks advance to the Final Four for the sixth straight year under coach Dawn Staley.Today in Sacramento

The top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team defeated the No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs 78-65 in the Elite Eight matchup on March 30th. The win secures South Carolina's sixth consecutive trip to the Final Four, continuing the program's dominant run under legendary head coach Dawn Staley.

Why it matters

Dawn Staley is one of the most accomplished coaches in women's basketball history, having led South Carolina to a national championship in 2017 and multiple Final Four appearances. The Gamecocks' continued success in the NCAA Tournament cements Staley's legacy and South Carolina's status as one of the premier women's basketball programs in the country.

The details

South Carolina jumped out to an early lead and maintained control throughout the game, led by standout performances from senior forward Aliyah Boston and junior guard Zia Cooke. The Gamecocks' stifling defense held TCU to just 65 points, well below their season average. With the victory, South Carolina advances to face UConn in the Final Four in Phoenix.

  • The game was played on March 30, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET.
  • This was South Carolina's 6th consecutive trip to the Final Four.

The players

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, who has led the program to a national championship and multiple Final Four appearances.

Aliyah Boston

A senior forward for the South Carolina Gamecocks and one of the top players in the country.

Zia Cooke

A junior guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks who is a key contributor to the team's success.

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What’s next

South Carolina will face UConn in the Final Four on April 4th in Phoenix, Arizona.

The takeaway

South Carolina's continued dominance under Dawn Staley solidifies the program's status as one of the premier women's basketball teams in the country. The Gamecocks' sixth straight Final Four appearance is a testament to Staley's coaching prowess and the team's talented roster.