Fourth-quarter surge propels South Carolina women to fifth straight Final Four

The South Carolina Gamecocks have kept mounting comebacks throughout their 2025 NCAA Tournament run. 

In the Round of 32 against No. 9-seed Indiana, No. 1-seed South Carolina erased a 26-25 halftime deficit en route to a 64-53 win. In the Sweet 16 against No. 4-seed Maryland, the Gamecocks trailed 60-59 with 3:25 left in the fourth quarter but still pulled off a 71-67 victory.

Entering the fourth quarter of Sunday's Elite Eight matchup against No. 2-seed Duke, South Carolina was on the verge of elimination once again.

The Blue Devils led the Gamecocks, 42-38. They also couldn't seem to stop Duke freshman forward Toby Fournier, who finished with a game-high 18 points.

However, South Carolina clawed back into the game. It went on an 8-0 run at the beginning of the fourth quarter, taking a 46-42 lead.

Duke didn't fold. With 58 seconds left in the game, Blue Devils sophomore guard Oluchi Okananwa made a layup, cutting the deficit to 52-50. 

On the ensuing possession, South Carolina senior guard Bree Hall turned the ball over, giving Duke another opportunity to tie or regain the lead. 

With 10 seconds left, Duke junior guard Ashlon Jackson had a great look from three, but she airballed it. Hall then grabbed a rebound, and South Carolina called timeout.