Gamecocks head to SEC semis undefeated

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley spent all season teaching her young, undefeated team. Those lessons, she stressed, must carry into the SEC Tournament if the top-ranked Gamecocks hope to achieve their championship goals.

Kamilla Cardoso scored 17 points and Tessa Johnson 13 as South Carolina beat ninth-seeded Texas A&M 79-68 Friday at the SEC Tournament and reached 30 wins for a third straight season.

The Gamecocks take their 30-0 record into Saturday’s semifinals.

„ Sarah Andrews scored 13 points, Aijha Blackwell had 11 points and nine rebounds, and No. 17 Baylor beat Texas Tech 71-60 on Friday in the Big 12 Conference Tournament for its sixth straight victory . ... Sonia Citron scored 26 points, Hannah Hidalgo added 21 and both players made double-digit free throws to help No. 14 Notre Dame hold off No. 24 Louisville 77-68 on Friday in the ACC Tournament.

MLB: Noelvi Marté, a 22-year-old infielder who is the Reds’ top prospect, was suspended for the first 80 games of the season on Friday following a positive test under Major League Baseball’s drug program. Marté tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone

NFL: The Bills began addressing their secondary needs by re-signing Taylor Rapp to a threeyear contract extension on Friday, days before he was eligible to become a free agent . ... The 49ers have agreed to a one-year extension with right tackle Colton McKivitz to keep him under contract through the 2025 season.

NHL: Valeri Nichushkin returned to the Avalanche lineup Friday against the Wild after receiving care through the player assistance program, Avs coach Jared Bednar said. It will be Nichushkin’s first game since Jan. 10. The 28-yearold Russian became the second Avs player to take part in the joint NHLPA/ NHL program this season after Samuel Girard.