Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke react to third straight Final Four berth, breaking school record for wins

The special season for South Carolina women’s basketball continued Monday, as the Gamecocks are on to the Final Four for the third straight year. They defeated Maryland 86-75 in the Elite Eight behind 22 points, 10 rebounds and five assists from star Aliyah Boston.

South Carolina has yet to lose a game this season on its quest for a second straight national championship. Monday’s victory pushed their season total to 36, surpassing the program record that was set just a year ago.

“I’m super excited,” Boston told ESPN’s Angel Gray postgame. “Only God. All my credit goes to him. The coaches did a great job on scout. We’re going to the Final Four!”

South Carolina found itself in trouble after the first quarter, trailing the Terrapins 21-15. It responded in a big way in the second to outscore Maryland 23-9 and take an eight-point advantage into halftime. The Gamecocks again dominated the glass, outrebounding the Terrapins 48-26 including 25 offensive boards.

It wasn’t just Boston who helped them earn the win, however. Senior guard Zia Cooke was also instrumental, finishing with 18 points, 15 of which came in the second and third quarter as South Carolina pulled away. She also had eight rebounds.

“Zia is a killer,” Boston said. “That’s what she does. She scores. She defends. She does everything. Look at her. She wants to go to Dallas.”

The Final Four appearance is the fifth since 2015 for South Carolina, with all of them coming under coach Dawn Staley. The Gamecocks have now won 42 straight games dating back to last season. If they are able to complete the undefeated season, it would be just the 10th time in the history of women’s college basketball that any team has done so.

Both Cooke and Boston have been on the roster for the last three of South Carolina’s Final Four appearances. Now they’ll have a chance bring Staley her third national championship in the past seven seasons.

“It feels good,” Cooke said. “We worked extremely hard and I think we deserve this. We’re not done yet. We’re going to continue to do what we do and we’re going to Dallas. …It’s a legendary program, but coach Staley was a legend before we got here. We’re thankful to be a part of her program.”

The Gamecocks move on to face Iowa in the Final Four on Friday. The defense is sure to have its hands full attempting to slow down Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark, who recorded the first 40-point triple-double in the history of the NCAA Tournament in Iowa’s Elite Eight win Sunday.