South Carolina Women's Basketball Advances to 8th Straight Final Four

Gamecocks continue dominant run under coach Dawn Staley

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:01am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and energy of a women's basketball game, with sharp, overlapping shapes in navy, red, and white representing the players and the court.South Carolina's relentless pursuit of a national championship continues with their 8th straight Final Four appearance.Today in Sacramento

The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team has advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the 8th consecutive year, continuing their dynasty under head coach Dawn Staley. The team defeated the Maryland Terrapins in the Elite Eight to secure their spot in the national semifinals.

Why it matters

South Carolina has emerged as a powerhouse in women's college basketball over the past decade, winning a national championship in 2017 and making the Final Four in 8 straight seasons. Coach Dawn Staley has built the program into a consistent contender for the national title, cementing the Gamecocks' status as one of the elite programs in the sport.

The details

The Gamecocks defeated the Maryland Terrapins 62-55 in the Elite Eight to punch their ticket to the Final Four. South Carolina used a balanced scoring attack and stifling defense to overcome a Maryland team that had been ranked in the top 10 all season. The Gamecocks' veteran leadership and championship pedigree proved to be the difference in the hard-fought victory.

  • The Gamecocks defeated Maryland on March 28, 2026 to advance to the Final Four.
  • This will be South Carolina's 8th consecutive appearance in the national semifinals.

The players

Dawn Staley

The head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, who has led the program to 8 straight Final Four appearances and a national championship in 2017.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The women's basketball team from the University of South Carolina, which has emerged as a national powerhouse under coach Dawn Staley.

Maryland Terrapins

The women's basketball team from the University of Maryland, which was ranked in the top 10 nationally this season before falling to South Carolina in the Elite Eight.

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What they’re saying

“This team has been through so much together, and they know what it takes to win at the highest level. I'm so proud of their effort and determination to get back to the Final Four.”

— Dawn Staley, Head Coach, South Carolina Gamecocks

What’s next

South Carolina will face the winner of the Stanford-UConn matchup in the national semifinals on April 4th.

The takeaway

South Carolina's continued dominance in women's basketball is a testament to the program's culture of excellence and the leadership of coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks' 8th straight Final Four appearance solidifies their status as one of the premier programs in the country.