Gamecocks dominate in Carolina clash

Freshmen MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson aren’t waiting for their turn. They’re grabbing the opportunity to lead the way for undefeated South Carolina in the women’s NCAA Tournament.

Fulwiley scored 20 points, Johnson had 11 and the pair combined for seven of the top-seeded Gamecocks’ nine three-pointers in an 8841 win over No. 8 seed North Carolina on Sunday that sent South Carolina to its 10th straight Sweet 16.

“They see themselves as being integral parts of our success,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “And they didn’t back down from it.”

Kamilla Cardoso had 12 points and 10 rebounds in her return from a one-game suspension after she was ejected for fighting during the Southeastern Conference Tournament championship game two weeks ago. The six-foot-seven centre missed her team’s March Madness opener against Presbyterian on Friday.

Fulwiley, the SEC Tournament MVP, and Johnson fuelled a firstquarter surge for South Carolina (34-0) that quickly turned the game into a runaway. Fulwiley started it with a behind-the-back layup before Johnson made consecutive rainbow 3s. Fulwiley added another three-pointer as part of a 43-11 run that gave the Gamecocks a 56-19 lead at the break. Tar Heels had lost by single digits in the teams’ previous two meetings.

Fulwiley knows she’s among the most promising young players in the game along with Southern California’s JuJu Watkins, Notre Dame’s Hannah Hidalgo and Texas’ Madison Booker.

But Fulwiley’s bigger priority is blending in with her talented Gamecocks teammates.

“I think this team, we do a great job of just playing for each other,” she said.

Duke ousts No. 2 Ohio State

Reigan Richardson scored 28 points and added seven rebounds as No. 7 seed Duke rallied from a 16-point first-half deficit to beat No. 2 seed Ohio State 75-63 and earn a spot in the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2018.

Richardson hit a three-pointer from the wing to put Duke up 59-57 with 5:21 left. That sparked a 13-2 run by the Blue Devils that began to put the game out of reach.

Ashlon Jackson scored 13 points and Taina Mair added 11 for the Blue Devils (22-11).

Duke’s upset win was only the second time in the tournament that a lower-seeded team had won. The better seeds were 31-1 in the opening round.