South Carolina and Indiana have had two very different paths to the Sweet 16 of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Tournament. On the one hand is an undefeated Gamecocks squad entering as the favorite to win the 2024 championship. On the other a lunch pail Indiana team seeking its second-ever Elite Eight berth.
The Indiana Hoosiers survived 21 lead changes and 10 ties to overcome Oklahoma in the second round and advance to the Sweet 16. Forward Mackenzie Holmes scored 12 of her 29 points in the fourth quarter to secure the win.
“I didn’t want to end my last game in Assembly Hall with a loss. I couldn’t let it happen again,” Holmes said, referring to the 70-68 upset loss to Miami last year. “I would do everything in my power not to let that happen.”
Holmes did just that. It was a hard 29 points as the Hoosiers forward went 12-23 from the floor. Although the shots weren’t initially falling, the Indiana roster kept its leading scorer confident. That is what sets Indiana apart, Holmes believes.
“No deficit is too much,” Holmes said. “We have so many threats. We’re so well balanced. It’s the competitiveness we have. We’re never going to quit. We’re a team that will fight for 40 minutes.”
Every bit of the…
