April 4 (UPI) -- Joyce Edwards and the South Carolina Gamecocks exercised the grit of a reigning champion, recovering from an early deficit with a relentless surge to storm by Texas Longhorns in the NCAA Final Four on Friday in Tampa, Fla.
"At the end of the day, it's not an if, it's a when," Edwards said on the ESPN broadcast. "When I'm going to turn the page and when I'm going to get over it.
"Today I did. I just handled the pressure and we won."
The Gamecocks, who trailed by eight in the first quarter, outscored the Longhorns 56-39 over the final three frames for the 74-57 triumph at Amalie Arena. They will attempt to win their third title in four years against the second-seeded UConn Huskies on Sunday in Tampa.
"We'll take the momentum," Edwards said. "We'll go into the next game and try to win. We've gotta scout and just turn the page."
Edwards totaled 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. The freshman forward became the first player in 25 years to record at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists off the bench in a Final Four game in 25 years.
"I know it had to feel good for her to see that ball go in," Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley said of Edwards. "I'm so proud of her defense, her passing. "We got to her skillset."
The Gamecocks (35-3) outshot the Longhorns (35-4) 50.9% to 39.3%, including a 63.6% clip from 3-point range, compared to their foes' 40% rate. They also held advantages of 17-10 in assists, 40-22 in points in the paint and 15-3 in fast break points and led by as many as 20 points.
All-American forward Madison Booker and the ...
