Sports

Basketball fans interact with Gamecock head coach Dawn Staley during the team's open practice on April 6, 2024, ahead of the national championship game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Staley signed autographs and took selfies with fans during the sold-out open practice.

South Carolina-Iowa game breaks television viewership records, highlights growth surrounding women’s basketball

By Griffin Goodwyn | April 10, 2024

ESPN's broadcast of the South Carolina women's basketball team's national championship victory was viewed by 18.9 million people, the most ever for a college basketball game in the network's history. Key figures in the sport, such as Dawn Staley and Caitlin Clark, said they believe this is an indication that the game will continue to grow in popularity.

Trending Now

Send a Tip Get Our Email Editions

Redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford calls for the snap during one of the South Carolina football teams' spring practice sessions. Ashford, a recent transfer to South Carolina, has two years of eligibility remaining after completing stints with Oregon and Auburn.

Quarterback transfer looks to bring experience to room in transition: 'You gotta be a leader'

By Jaydon Ford | April 9, 2024

FILE- Junior catcher Cole Messina runs towards first base after hitting a pitch at Founders Park on March 24, 2024. Messina secured his 100th career hit earlier in the 2024 season.

South Carolina baseball catcher Cole Messina recovers from rough patch, plays integral role in offense

By Michael Gaither | April 9, 2024

Senior center Kamilla Cardoso blows a kiss on the NCAA champion trophy on the court of Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 8, 2024. Cardoso earned the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player award.

Kamilla Cardoso’s senior season culminates in being named NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player

By Griffin Goodwyn | April 8, 2024

More from Sports

FILE - Freshman two-way player Reganne Bennett stands for the national anthem before the game against the College of Charleston on Feb. 28, 2024. During this game, Bennett pitched three innings and allowed no runners to score.

Freshman 2-way player Reganne Bennett impacts Gamecock softball team through solid pitching, hitting

By Brendan Dougherty | April 7, 2024

Freshman two-way player Reganne Bennett has impacted the South Carolina softball team on both sides of the ball throughout the 2024 season. She boasts a team-leading 0.62 ERA and has amassed four home runs in 22 games played.

The Gamecock baseball team played a two-game series against the Texas A&M Aggies on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, 2024. The Gamecocks fell in both matchups, losing 2-9 and 3-6, respectively. The Aggies scored 7 runs in the first three innings on Friday, all but securing its win. On Saturday, senior infielder Gavin Casas hit South Carolina's first pinch-hit home run since the its game against Florida on May 19, 2022, but it wasn't enough to push the Gamecocks ahead of the Aggies. Next up, South Carolina will face UNC on April 9, 2024, at 7 p.m. on the road at Truist Field in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Analysis: No. 22 South Carolina baseball drops weekend series to No. 3 Texas A&M

By Sam Stroup and Brendan Dougherty | April 7, 2024

The No. 22 South Carolina baseball team dropped its three-game series against No. 3 Texas A&M at Founders Park this weekend, losing the first two games and winning the third. The Gamecocks saw an impressive performance from junior pitcher Matthew Becker in game three, where he threw 83 pitches, struck out eight batters and walked none.

The South Carolina Gamecocks’ emerged victorious from a close matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes to secure the national championship title with an undefeated season on April 7, 2024. The Gamecocks defeated the Hawkeyes 87-75 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Freshman guard Tessa Johnson led the Gamecocks in scoring with 19 points, a career high. Johnson and senior center Kamilla Cardoso earned all-tournament honors. This is the third time that the Gamecocks earned an NCAA title, and the first with an undefeated season, making the team the 10th team to do so in the history of the tournament.

Analysis: South Carolina women's basketball claims 3rd national title, 1st undefeated season

By Griffin Goodwyn | April 7, 2024

The Gamecocks were crowned NCAA Tournament champions for the third time in program history Sunday afternoon in an 87-75 victory over Iowa. South Carolina used its defense, depth and rebounding ability to take down the Hawkeyes, who eliminated the team in the Final Four in the 2022-23 season.

Gamecock women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley answers questions during a press conference ahead of the NCAA women's basketball final in Cleveland, Ohio. Staley spoke about the team's preparation for the final game against the Iowa Hawkeyes, saying that the team is focused and prepared for the matchup.

Preview: South Carolina women’s basketball 'ready' for Iowa, Caitlin Clark ahead of national championship game

By Griffin Goodwyn | April 6, 2024

The 2024 NCAA national championship game pits the Gamecocks against Iowa, which is led by one of women's basketball's top individual stars, senior guard Caitlin Clark. Head coach Dawn Staley said the team's players are motivated and "locked in" ahead of the contest, despite falling to the Hawkeyes in the 2023 NCAA Tournament.

The South Carolina Gamecocks delivered a decisive victory to the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the first of two semifinal games at the 2024 Women’s Final Four matchup on April 5, 2024. The Gamecocks defeated the Wolf Pack 78-59 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, OH.

Analysis: No. 1 South Carolina women’s basketball secures spot in national championship game

By Griffin Goodwyn | April 6, 2024

The No. 1 South Carolina basketball team will have an opportunity to win its third-ever national championship on Sunday after it defeated No. 3 seed NC State 78-59 Friday in an NCAA Tournament semifinal matchup. Senior center Kamilla Cardoso led the team with 22 points, and sophomore forward Ashlyn Watkins recorded 20 rebounds, the most by a Gamecock in postseason history.

Gamecock women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley (left) and Iowa senior guard Caitlin Clark (right) laugh while walking off stage after receiving their AP Coach and Player of the year awards, respectively. This is Staley's second time winning the AP Coach of the Year award. Staley also earned the Women's Basketball Coaches Association award for the third consecutive year and the fourth time in five years.

Dawn Staley receives Coach of the Year awards from Associated Press, WBCA

By Griffin Goodwyn | April 4, 2024

South Carolina head women's basketball coach Dawn Staley picked up two additional accolades on Thursday after being named Coach of the Year by the Associated Press and the WBCA. Staley was also named the Naismith Coach of the Year earlier in the week.

Junior guard Bree Hall follows through after a shot attempt at practice in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on April 4, 2024. This marked the players’ last practice before their Final Four game against NC State.

Preview: South Carolina women’s basketball heads into Final Four with title-winning aspirations

By Griffin Goodwyn | April 4, 2024

The No. 1 seed South Carolina women's basketball team is set to participate in its fourth Final Four in as many seasons on Friday. Despite falling short of the national championship last year, the Gamecocks' approach to the tournament has not changed.

FILE- South Carolina players cheer after winning the Palmetto Cup, beating Clemson 8-5 in the final game of the regular season on March 3, 2023, at Flight Adventure Park in Irmo, South Carolina. The team won the 2024 AAU College Hockey National Championship by defeating the University of Buffalo 4-1 on March 10, 2024.

South Carolina men's club hockey claims 1st national championship, aims to expand game across southern states

By Will Miller | April 4, 2024

The South Carolina men's club hockey team won its first-ever national championship in March, overcoming adversity at multiple stages of the season ahead of the title game. The club hopes to use its championship victory as a way to expand the game of hockey in the South.

Fifth-year infielder Parker Noland throws the ball toward first base during the Gamecocks' loss to the Georgia Southern on April 3, 2024. Noland went 1-4 at bat, and the team totaled 4 hits overall.

Analysis: South Carolina baseball notches 17 strikeouts in midweek loss to Georgia Southern

By Hardy Smothers | April 4, 2024

The South Carolina baseball team was completely shut out for the first time all season in its midweek matchup against Georgia Southern, losing 8-0. Sophomore outfielder Ethan Petry and freshman pitcher Eddie Copper both exited the game early due to injuries.

Midfielder Ronaldo Fortune kicks the ball toward his teammate during South Carolina United Heat's warmups on March 29, 2024, at the Southeastern Freight Lines Soccer Canter. SCU Heat is a member of the United Premier Soccer League, the largest pro-development league in the US, with nearly 400 teams nationally.

Local club provides players with pathway to professional soccer, represents Columbia in national tournament

By Griffin Goodwyn | April 3, 2024

South Carolina United Heat, a Columbia-based semi-professional soccer team, competed in its first-ever U.S. Open Cup in 2024. The team's coach and players hope to use its success in the tournament as a way to elevate the club and individual players' chances of playing professional soccer.

FILE - The Gamecock men's basketball team huddles after drawing a foul during the team’s game against Notre Dame on Nov. 28, 2023. The Gamecocks finished the 2023-24 season 28-6.

South Carolina men's basketball exceeded expectations through transfer portal additions, camaraderie

By Brendan Dougherty | April 1, 2024

A historic season for the South Carolina men's basketball team came to an end early in the NCAA Tournament, but the team still had successes throughout the year.

FILE - Senior center Kamilla Cardoso goes up for a shot during South Carolina's game against Vanderbilt at Colonial Life Arena on Jan. 28, 2024. Cardoso announced on April 1, 2024 that she will be declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft.

Senior center Kamilla Cardoso declares for 2024 WNBA Draft

By Griffin Goodwyn | April 1, 2024

Senior center Kamilla Cardoso announced her decision to declare for the 2024 WNBA Draft in a social media post on Monday. Cardoso is the Gamecocks' leading scorer and rebounder this season, averaging 14.1 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.

Head football coach Shane Beamer addresses the media at the Long Family Football Operations Center on Oct. 10, 2023. Beamer discussed the Tennessee game on Sept. 30, 2023, where the team lost 41-20.

South Carolina football's new-look roster prioritizes competition, versatility during spring practice

By Dylan Bailey | March 31, 2024

South Carolina football enters spring practice with a new-look roster and uncertainty surrounding multiple starting positions. Head coach Shane Beamer is looking to give every player a fresh slate and make them earn their position on the starting lineup ahead of the 2024 season.

FILE- Freshman guard Tessa Johnson receives a pass during South Carolina’s victory over Presbyterian in round one of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Tournament on March 22, 2024. The Gamecocks advance to its forth consecutive Final 4 after defeating Oregon State 70-58 on March 31, 2024.

Analysis: No. 1 South Carolina women's basketball powers past Oregon State, advances to Final Four

By Sam Stroup | March 31, 2024

The No. 1 South Carolina women's basketball team won a physical game against No. 3 seed Oregon State to advance to the program's fourth consecutive Final Four. The Gamecocks saw positive performances from both its post players and bench, which combined to score 38 of the team's 70 points.

FILE — Sophomore guard Raven Johnson drives the ball down the court in South Carolina's second-round game against North Carolina during the NCAA Women’s Tournament at Colonial Life Arena on March 24, 2024. Johnson scored 14 points in just over 32 minutes of play during the Gamecocks' 79-75 Sweet Sixteen victory over the Indiana Hoosiers.

Analysis: No. 1 South Carolina women's basketball books 4th straight trip to Elite Eight

By Hardy Smothers | March 29, 2024

The Gamecocks are one win away from reaching another Final Four after a narrow 79-75 victory over No. 4 seed Indiana. Senior center Kamilla Cardoso led the team with 22 points, and sophomore guard Raven Johnson hit multiple big shots late in the game to help South Carolina earn the win.

Gamecock women's basketball signee forward Joyce Edwards poses for a photo with her Gatorade Player of the Year trophy on March 27, 2024. Edwards played on the Camden High School varsity basketball team for six seasons and committed to play at USC on Nov. 15, 2023.

South Carolina women's basketball signee Joyce Edwards earns national recognition

By Griffin Goodwyn | March 28, 2024

Incoming Gamecock freshman forward Joyce Edwards was named the 2023-24 Gatorade National Girls Basketball Player of the Year on Thursday. Edwards committed to South Carolina on Nov. 15, 2023, and will play her first collegiate season this fall.