South Carolina routs TCU to reach sixth straight Final Four

The Gamecocks become just the second team in NCAA history to reach six consecutive Final Fours.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:23am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a women's basketball game, with overlapping shapes and planes in the Gamecocks' signature colors of garnet and black.South Carolina's sixth straight trip to the Final Four showcases the program's sustained excellence and championship pedigree.Today in Sacramento

The top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the No. 3 seed TCU Horned Frogs 78-52 on Monday night to advance to their sixth straight NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four. South Carolina overcame an early 6-0 deficit and pulled away in the second half, outscoring TCU 17-5 at the end of the second quarter and 14-0 to start the fourth quarter. Sophomore forward Joyce Edwards led the Gamecocks with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Agot Makeer added 18 points.

Why it matters

South Carolina's dominant run to the Final Four is a historic accomplishment, as they become just the second team in NCAA history to reach six consecutive national semifinals. The Gamecocks have been a powerhouse in women's college basketball, winning the national title in 2017 and 2022 and establishing themselves as one of the premier programs in the sport.

The details

After TCU opened the game on a 6-0 run, South Carolina responded with a 12-2 run to close the first quarter. The Gamecocks then pulled away late in the second quarter, outscoring the Horned Frogs 17-5 to take a slight halftime lead. South Carolina blew the game open in the fourth quarter, holding TCU scoreless for the first four minutes and going on a 14-0 run.

  • South Carolina defeated TCU on Monday, March 31, 2026 to advance to the Final Four.

The players

Joyce Edwards

A sophomore forward for the South Carolina Gamecocks who scored 24 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in the Elite Eight win over TCU.

Raven Johnson

A guard for the South Carolina Gamecocks who had 10 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists in the victory.

Agot Makeer

A player for the South Carolina Gamecocks who scored 18 points in the Elite Eight matchup.

Olivia Miles

A player for the TCU Horned Frogs who finished with 18 points and 6 assists in the loss.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Gamecocks will face UConn in the Final Four, a rematch of last year's national championship game that South Carolina lost 82-59.

The takeaway

South Carolina's dominant run to the Final Four, becoming just the second team in NCAA history to reach six consecutive national semifinals, cements their status as one of the premier women's basketball programs in the country. Their quest for a third national title in six years will continue against a familiar foe in UConn.