2017 National Champions

2017 National Champions South Carolina women's basketball

Drawing a No. 1 seed for the fourth-straight season, South Carolina embarked on a run to the 2017 National Championship that many outside the program thought was improbable. The belief of Head Coach Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks never wavered as they overcame every obstacle to claim the program's first ever NCAA title.

First Round vs. UNC Asheville

The 2017 NCAA Tournament began with the Gamecocks playing at home, where the biggest crowd of all the tournament's first/second round sites filled Colonial Life Arena. South Carolina topped UNC Asheville 90-40 in the opening round.

Tyasha Harris

Bianca Cuevas-Moore

Second Round vs. Arizona State

The Gamecocks needed every bit of the home crowd to fight past Arizona State, which felt under-seeded and under-recognized with everything to prove against the Stockton Region's top seed, in the second round.

A'ja WIlson battled throughout the game and scored four points in the final 48 seconds to deliver the 71-68 win.

The Gamecocks' two 20-point scorers in the game started the postgame celebration as South Carolina advanced to its fourth Sweet 16 in as many seasons.

On to Stockton, California

Sweet 16 vs. Quinnipiac

Far from home but feeling the energy from the fans back home, the Gamecocks posted a Sweet 16 win over 2017's Cinderella team, Quinnipiac. South Carolina's defense laid the foundation early for a 100-58 victory to move the Gamecocks into the Elite Eight for the second time in three seasons.

Dawn Staley

Allisha Gray

Elite Eight vs. Florida State

No. 10/13 Florida State awaited No. 3/4 South Carolina in the Elite Eight, a rematch of the 2015 Regional Final. A dominant first half set the Gamecocks up for the 71-64 victory, which freshman Tyasha Harris sealed with a steal and three free throws in the final 11 seconds.

Kaela Davis was named Stockton Regional Most Outstanding Player

Tyasha Harris

With the trip to the Final Four – South Carolina's second in three seasons – secured, the celebration was ON!

Next Destination? DALLAS!

Final Four: Semifinal vs. Stanford

Gamecock Nation rode into Dallas on a mission – to help South Carolina do more than just participate in the Final Four.

Allisha Gray kept the Gamecock offense going in a tough first half against Stanford.

A'ja Wilson played through two and three defenders throughout the opening 20 minutes.

Coach Staley's halftime adjustments turned the tide in the second half, and the Gamecocks were headed to the national championship game!

A'ja Wilson adapted to the defense, handling the ball in space to get to the rim.

Tyasha Harris scored five points in the fourth quarter, including clutch free throws in the last 90 seconds.

National Championship vs. Mississippi St.

Familiar faces awaited the Gamecocks in the title game in the form of SEC foe Mississippi State. The No. 7/7 Bulldogs had momentum, but the Gamecocks had history – 10 straight wins over their top conference rival, including victories in the 2017 regular season and the 2017 SEC Tournament championship game less than a month earlier.

A'ja Wilson scored 11 of her 23 points in the first half and finished with a double-double along with four blocks and two steals.

Allisha Gray fought taller players throughout the night, putting up 11 of her 18 points in the first half and recording her second double-double of the season.

After a National Championship comes a parade and pep rally – and the City of Columbia and the State of South Carolina turned out in FORCE!

Appreciate