Dawn Staley had just won her eighth SEC tournament championship. Her South Carolina Gamecocks had capped off a second consecutive undefeated campaign in the lead-up to the NCAA Tournament. They had outmatched a conference rival Sunday in Greenville, S.C., outlasting LSU 79-72.
This should have been a moment for her entire team to enjoy together. Instead, she was surrounded by just six players still allowed to be on the Bon Secours Wellness Arena court for the game’s closing minutes. Most of the players who had led South Carolina through this remarkable season were in the locker room while the remaining handful took turns cutting down the nets.
Staley called the scene bittersweet. Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao said the muted celebration was heartbreaking.
It was difficult for the Gamecocks to fully bask in this special moment after the mayhem that ensued with two minutes to play in the fourth quarter. The Gamecocks led by 7 points when LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson tugged at the jersey of South Carolina’s MiLaysia Fulwiley, slowing down her progress as she dribbled up the floor. Johnson then bumped into South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins. Gamecocks center Kamilla Cardoso sprinted over, shoving Johnson to the ground. Amid the chaos, a fan, identified on ESPN’s telecast as…
