GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) - A’ja Wilson believes No. 5 South Carolina proved it’s not only the best in the Southeastern Conference, but one of the best in the country and a major threat in the NCAA Tournament.
The Gamecocks won their third straight SEC Tournament title behind Kaela Davis’ 23 points and Wilson’s dominant fourth quarter to rally past No. 6 Mississippi State 59-49 on Sunday. South Carolina (27-4) celebrated amidst the falling confetti. The Gamecocks understand, Wilson said, there are bigger goals still to chase.
“I think we really showed ourselves,” Wilson said. “We showed a good picture of what we do, how we are here at South Carolina.”
Wilson, the two-time SEC player of the year, is a big part of that. She had seven of her 15 points and eight of her nine rebounds in the final period as the Gamecocks rallied from 45-40 down to win their 10th straight over the Bulldogs (29-4).
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, whose team likely heads to the NCAAs as a No. 1 seed, accepts that these Gamecocks will remain out of the national conversation about those program’s capable of ending UConn’s try for a fifth straight NCAA title.
“We’re going to keep flying under the radar,” Staley said. “We’re going to keep getting better. We’re going to keep making the most of the opportunities that we have. Wherever we’re sent, we’re going to continue to play and use the experiences of playing in the SEC to our advantage.”
Mississippi State (29-4) closed within 50-49 on Roshunda Johnson’s bank shot with 4:42 left. The Bulldogs, however, would not score again in losing their second consecutive SEC tourney final to South Carolina.
“One of these days, I’m going to walk off that court, and I’m not going to walk off when the confetti comes down,” Bulldogs coach Vic Schaefer said. “I’m going to be able to stand there and enjoy it.”
Once more, that joy went to South Carolina.
The Gamecocks already joined Tennessee as the only programs to win four straight SEC regular-season crowns - the Lady Vols won seven straight. South Carolina now became the second team, alongside Tennessee, with three consecutive tournament titles. Tennessee, though, accomplished it twice.
Wilson, playing without injured post partner Alaina Coates, found her dominance in the final quarter. Along with her points, the Southeastern Conference player of the year had eight of her nine rebounds and two of her four blocks in the period.
She was named the tournament’s MVP.
When it was over, Davis heaved the ball high into the air and the Gamecocks celebrated at midcourt to the cheers of a packed arena, located about two hours north of South Carolina’s campus.
Teaira McCowan had 15 points and 12 rebounds to lead Mississippi State. All-SEC first team selection Victoria Vivians had another disappointing performance for the Bulldogs, going 3-of-10 from the field for 9 points. Vivians, who averaged 16.6 points a game this season, had a total of 24 points in their three games here.
THE BIG PICTURE
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs felt the first shot in this one as the Gamecocks made their first seven baskets to take a 14-5 lead. Mississippi State’s defense - and 6-foot-7 Teaira McCowan - kicked in after that. McCowan made it near-impossible for the Gamecocks to find Wilson underneath.
South Carolina: Coates’ absence didn’t seem like it would hurt the Gamecocks much with the way Davis got started. The Georgia Tech transfer hit six of nine shots for 13 points in the first two quarters. Davis was nine-of-16 from the floor overall, including three 3-pointers.
Once Mississippi State clamped down on Wilson, there wasn’t anyone who could provide that second down-low option South Carolina is so used to. Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, a 6-2 freshman, made two of three shots but often was muscled out of position by the Bulldogs.
COATES’ RETURN
The 6-foot-4 Alaina Coates cheered and encouraged her team from the bench with her right ankle sprain. South Carolina coach Dawn Staley can’t wait to see her back in the lineup for the NCAAs. “Not having Alaina Coates makes you do a lot of different things,” she said. “You have to make adjustments because there’s a huge void left
OFF TO THE RANGE
Mississippi State coach Vic Schaefer said Victoria Vivians’ shooting problems aren’t anything that can’t be fixed with a little time in the range. It’s like when Schaefer’s golf game goes bad and he needs to tune up his swing. “She’s got to spend some time on the range,” he said.
UP NEXT
Mississippi State will await its NCAA Tournament bid.
South Carolina will await its NCAA Tournament bid.
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