Swish Appeal’s contributing writer, Stephanie Kaloi, and photographer, Christina Merrion, were in Birmingham to chronicle and capture Sunday’s Elite Eight showdown between South Carolina and Duke. Here’s what they saw, with words from Stephanie and photos from Christina.
There was never a doubt that Sunday’s Elite Eight matchup between No. 1-seed South Carolina and No. 2-seed Duke Blue Devils was going to be tough—and both teams more than delivered. The Gamecocks eventually prevailed after a 40-minute fight, 54-50.
To start the game, Duke’s Toby Fournier was responsible for most of her team’s success, though her efforts were matched by Sania Feagin, Chloe Kitts, and MiLaysia Fulwiley on the South Carolina side. Raven Johnson deftly stepped in when needed at the top of the second when she hit a 3-pointer as Kitts and Feagin also kept things moving in the Gamecocks’ direction with a combined 12 points. South Carolina led things 26-22 at the half.
As they are wont to do, Duke came out of halftime on fire, ending the third period with a 42-38 lead. Ashlon Jackson and Reigan…
