The Gamecocks secure a convincing 94-68 victory, fueled by strong performances from Ta'Niya Latson and Raven Johnson.
Category: Sports
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The South Carolina Gamecocks continued their march through the Women's NCAA Tournament, defeating the Oklahoma Sooners 94-68 in the Sweet 16 on March 28, 2026. This victory marks South Carolina's sixth consecutive appearance in the Elite Eight, solidifying their status as a powerhouse in women's college basketball.
The Gamecocks, seeded No. 1 in the tournament, showcased their offensive prowess from the outset, jumping to an early 10-0 lead and never looking back. South Carolina's combination of sharp shooting and disciplined defense proved too much for the fourth-seeded Sooners, who had previously defeated them in a regular-season matchup.
Ta'Niya Latson led the Gamecocks with a game-high 28 points, going a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. Raven Johnson contributed significantly as well, scoring 18 points and helping to orchestrate the offense. Together, the duo combined for 46 points, marking their highest output together this season.
“I was feeling really good tonight,” Latson said after the game. “I woke up on the right side of the bed. My teammates and my coaches believed in me. I just had to go out there with confidence.”
South Carolina's offense has been on fire throughout the tournament, scoring at least 90 points in all three games leading up to this victory, including two 100-point games. This marks the first time in program history they have accomplished such a feat in a single tournament.
“We have a lot of room to grow,” Johnson remarked. “I think we’re growing at the right time. Everybody’s clicking. I feel like the ceiling is high for us.”
In addition to their scoring, South Carolina's defensive strategy was key to their success. They held Oklahoma to just 33% shooting from the floor and forced 15 turnovers, which translated into a +14 advantage in points off turnovers.
Oklahoma's star center, Raegan Beers, who had previously dominated in their regular-season matchup, was limited to 14 points and eight rebounds. The Gamecocks' Madina Okot played a key role in containing Beers, finishing with nine points and 12 rebounds. Okot's performance also allowed her to surpass A’ja Wilson for second place on South Carolina’s all-time single-season rebounds list, now totaling 394.
“Madina, to me, is probably one of her stronger games just from a mental standpoint,” coach Dawn Staley said. “I like where she is right now.”
Oklahoma, who finished their season at 26-8, struggled to find their rhythm against South Carolina's relentless defense. Freshman Aaliyah Chavez led the Sooners with 21 points, marking her 12th 20-point game of the season. Senior Raegan Beers and redshirt senior Payton Verhulst also contributed, scoring 14 and 12 points respectively.
The Sooners entered the game looking to avenge their earlier victory over South Carolina, where they had triumphed 94-82 in overtime back in January. In that match, Beers had a standout performance, but the Gamecocks flipped the script in this rematch.
“It’s hard to beat the same team twice in one season,” Staley acknowledged, referencing the significance of their win. “We were able to control the boards and limit their key players.”
South Carolina's shooting was another highlight of the game. They finished with a 51% field goal percentage and an impressive 10-of-14 from three-point range, marking their best performance from beyond the arc this season.
As the Gamecocks prepare for their Elite Eight matchup, they will face either TCU or Virginia on March 30, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET. With their confidence soaring and a belief that their best basketball is still ahead of them, South Carolina is eager to continue their pursuit of a championship.
“We cherish the moments that we have on the floor, and we hope to win a championship together,” Latson stated, emphasizing the team's unity and ambition.
The Gamecocks' remarkable performance against Oklahoma avenged their earlier loss and showcased their potential as they aim for the Final Four in Phoenix. With a mix of experienced leadership and youthful talent, South Carolina remains a formidable contender in this year’s tournament.