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South Carolina

Dawn Staley cuts down the nets after winning ninth SEC Tournament title

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels03/10/25ChandlerVessels
dawn staley
Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley found herself in a familiar position on Sunday as she cut down the nets once again following an SEC Tournament Championship. Staley’s Gamecocks defeated Texas by a dominant score of 64-45 to claim their ninth SEC Tournament title under the coach.

The coach once again stepped up on the ladder to cut the final loop holding the net to the rim at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. It seemed business as usual as she waved it above her head triumphantly, and you can view the moment below.

Chloe Kitts led the Gamecocks with 15 points and nine rebounds in the victory. Things remained neck-and-neck after one quarter as South Carolina held just a 12-10 advantage following the first 10 minutes. But the Gamecocks would put their foot on the gas from there.

South Carolina outscored the Longhorns 21-6 in the second quarter and never looked back on their way to the win. The Gamecocks defense was suffocating, holding Texas to just 29.6% shooting from the floor.

Staley is in her 17th season as the coach at South Carolina, having compiled a 469-109 record in that span. She has been to six Final Fours with three national championships as well. With the win Sunday, the Gamecocks have earned an automatic bid and are likely to be one of the top seeds in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

South Carolina is coming off of an undefeated season in which it would go on to win the national title against Caitlin Clark and Iowa. They have already lost three games this year but still look like one of the top contenders in the country heading into the big dance.

The Gamecocks have a deep team led by Kitts, who is averaging 10.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Joyce Edwards and MiLaysia Fulwiley are also key contributors with a combined 25.4 points per game off the bench.

South Carolina is projected to be the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament according to ESPN’s latest projections. It will look to repeat as champions, but knows from experience that seeding means little when it’s a win-or-go-home scenario every night.

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament is set to begin March 19 with the first four, but South Carolina’s first game will come either on the 21st or 22nd. Selection Sunday is March 16, so the Gamecocks will have a better idea about their path to the title after then.