News Summary
On March 28, 2025, the South Carolina Gamecocks triumphed over the Maryland Terrapins with a thrilling 71-67 victory in the NCAA Women’s Tournament Sweet 16, securing a place in the Regional Final. The match showcased intense competition at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL, with standout performances from MiLaysia Fulwiley and Chloe Kitts. As South Carolina prepares to face Duke in the regional final this Sunday, fans are buzzing with excitement about the possibility of continuing their winning streak.
Birmingham, AL Celebrates as South Carolina Gamecocks Advance to NCAA Regional Final
March 28, 2025, was a day to remember for the fans of the South Carolina Gamecocks as they secured their spot in the NCAA Women’s Tournament Regional Final. With a nail-biting 71-67 victory over the Maryland Terrapins in the Sweet 16, South Carolina is buzzing with excitement for what’s to come!
Thrilling Matchup in Birmingham
The match took place at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL, where the atmosphere was electric. Right from the tip-off, fans were treated to a back-and-forth battle filled with intensity and determination. Both teams fought hard, exchanging the lead multiple times in the fourth quarter. As the clock ticked down, it was clear that every possession mattered, and both teams played passionately for their chance to advance.
South Carolina came into this game boasting an impressive record of 32 wins and just 3 losses, while Maryland held a 25-7 record. The stakes were high, and the Gamecocks rose to the occasion, making plays that would define the match.
Star Performances
One standout performance came from MiLaysia Fulwiley, who lit up the scoreboard with 23 points, all coming off the bench. Her contributions were crucial during the game’s final minutes, where her fearless drives to the basket gave South Carolina key leads. Adding to the excitement, Chloe Kitts delivered a double-double with 15 points and a staggering 11 rebounds, ensuring South Carolina maintained their grip on the game.
The team dominated the boards with a 47-34 rebounding advantage, showcasing their physicality and determination. However, the Gamecocks also faced challenges, committing 18 turnovers throughout the match, a fact that made the victory even more impressive.
Crunch Time Drama
As the game reached its climax, the tension in the arena was palpable. With just over two minutes left on the clock, Fulwiley drove for a critical basket that gave South Carolina a narrow 61-60 lead. Kitts followed suit, extending their lead to 62-60 by knocking down a free throw. The excitement escalated when Fulwiley scored again in transition, putting South Carolina ahead 64-60 with just 1:17 remaining.
Then, in a crucial moment, a video review reversed a call and gave South Carolina possession with only 35 seconds left. Kitts capitalized by sinking two more free throws, strengthening their lead and sending the fans into a frenzy.
The Gamecocks showcased their free-throw prowess, going 7-for-8 in the final 35 seconds of the game and finishing the match with a solid 17-for-21 from the line.
Maryland’s Effort
The Terrapins, led by Kaylene Smikle with 17 points, put up a valiant fight. Even with Allie Kubek and Sarah Te-Biasu contributing 12 points each, Maryland faced an uphill battle. Their efforts came too late as their offense became stagnant, grappling through a scoring drought that allowed South Carolina to pull ahead in the game. Both Smikle and Kubek fouled out in the final minute, adding to the difficulty for Maryland in closing the gap.
Looking Ahead
With the win, the Gamecocks improve to 33-3 and will now face the second-seeded Duke team in the regional final this Sunday. In their previous meeting on December 5, South Carolina emerged victorious with an 81-70 win as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. Gamecock fans are hopeful that history will repeat itself!
As the excitement builds for the regional final, there’s no doubt that Birmingham is abuzz with anticipation for more thrilling basketball action! Will South Carolina continue their winning streak? Only time will tell!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Sports Illustrated: South Carolina Gamecocks Advance
- AL.com: NCAA Women’s Basketball Tips Off in Birmingham
- WBRC: Women’s NCAA Tournament Tips Off in Birmingham
- AL.com: NCAA Women Bring Economic Impact of March Madness to Birmingham
- NCAA: 2025 March Madness Men’s NCAA Tournament Schedule
- Wikipedia: NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
- Google Search: NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
- Google Scholar: NCAA Women’s Basketball
- Encyclopedia Britannica: NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
- Google News: NCAA Women’s Basketball
