TAMPA — It turns out the sandy west coast of Florida is the perfect venue for South Carolina to seek a second straight national championship and third in four years.
That’s because the Gamecocks come at you in waves, crashing their opponents with a relentless bench as deep as the warm Gulf waters.
It happened again Friday night in South Carolina’s 74-57 national semifinal win over Texas at Amalie Arena.
Freshman Joyce Edwards, who had struggled for much of the NCAA Tournament, produced a double double off the bench with 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.
In fact, 14 of the Gamecocks’ first 18 points came off the bench. It also helped that after hitting her first three shots, Texas’ Madison Booker got into foul trouble, picking up her third with 2:29 remaining in the first half.
Booker, who was held to 11 points, played only 23 minutes in the game, including just nine in the first half. That’s seven minutes below her average.
“I’m pretty sure depth played a part today,” said Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley. “It played a part in the games we played (Texas) this season. We did a good job at Booker because we’ve got bodies to throw at her. We’ve got a defender in Breezy (Bree Hall) that really sets the example for some of the younger players.
‘You know, over a 40-minute period, with our depth, I think we just wear teams down."
Texas coach Vic Schaefer said he was worried about pulling Booker after getting her second foul early in the first half.
“She knows how to navigate that,” he said. “Again, you get the first one, you understand you can’t get the second one. You certainly can’t get it 22 seconds later. That was a big swing for sure right there but it’s part of the game.”
In Booker’s first-half absence, freshman Jordan Lee came off the bench to lead Texas with 16 points as she shot 50% from the field. The Longhorns trailed by just three at the half.
It was South Carolina’s third win over Texas this season, including in the SEC title game, after losing to the Longhorns 66-62 on Feb. 9.
The Gamecocks had a decisive advantage outside, shooting 7-of-11 from behind the 3-point arc while Texas made 4 of 10 3-point tries.
Guard Te-Hina Paopao led the Gamecocks with 14 points with 5 of 6 shooting.
Even so, South Carolina was sloppy to start the game and had more turnovers (four) than points to trail 10-2.
“I mean, the turnovers, they didn’t hurt for a whole lot as far as points off turnovers,” Staley said. “They’re just momentum killers. It doesn’t allow you to have fluidity from an offensive standpoint, so it’s a lot of disruption.
“And then, you know, our defense is our defense. Madison Booker is a tremendous player. A lot of what we’ve done when we’ve had to scheme for her is for her. She’s a big part and carries a heavy load for their scoring.”
Despite her previous struggles, Edwards never got down on herself and played big on both sides of the ball. In addition to providing scoring, she had six assists and 11 rebounds.
“Well, I try not to get too high or too low,” Edwards said. ”We just went out there and played. I mean, you’re going to have slumps. It’s part of the growth. It’s part of the process."
Staley and the Gamecocks have never lost a national championship game, but she said that streak will count for nothing Sunday.
“I think it’s playing the game and seeing how the game is being played,” Staley said. “It’s the only thing that’s going to help us. You know, saying we’re undefeated in the national championship game, like, I wish it helped. I wish ...
