Dawn Staley poses for photo with family after winning SEC Tournament title

South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley met with the people most important to her moments after claiming her ninth SEC Tournament Championship on Sunday. The Gamecocks cruised past Texas for a 64-45 victory in the title game, winning their third SEC Tournament in a row.

Afterward, cameras captured Staley with the freshly cut net around her neck, holding onto a trophy and surrounded by her family members. You can view the moment below.

A sweet mommet as #Gamecock HC Dawn Staley (@dawnstaley) and her family take a pic after coach brings home a 9th SEC title 🏆 pic.twitter.com/aKg2U4MENr

— Chaz R Frazier (@Chazf_tv) March 9, 2025

Chloe Kitts led the Gamecocks with 15 points and nine rebounds in the victory. Things remained neck-and-neck after one quarter as South Carolina held just a 12-10 advantage following the first 10 minutes. But the Gamecocks would put their foot on the gas from there.

South Carolina outscored the Longhorns 21-6 in the second quarter and never looked back on their way to the win. The Gamecocks defense was suffocating, holding Texas to just 29.6% shooting from the floor.

Staley is in her 17th season as the coach at South Carolina, having compiled a 469-109 record in that span. She has been to six Final Fours with three national championships as well. With the win Sunday, the Gamecocks have earned an automatic bid and are likely to be one of the top seeds in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

South Carolina is projected to be the top overall seed in the NCAA Tournament according to ESPN’s latest projections. It will look to repeat as champions, but knows from experience that seeding means little when it’s a win-or-go-home scenario every night.

The NCAA women’s basketball tournament is set to begin March 19 with the first four, but South Carolina’s first game will come either on the 21st or 22nd. Selection Sunday is March 16, so the Gamecocks will have a better idea about their path to the title after then.

Dawn Staley gushes over Sania Feagin’s commitment: ‘She probably should have transferred but she wanted to play to her standard’

Sania Feagin came to play in South Carolina‘s showdown against Texas in the SEC Tournament Championship on Sunday. Feagin concluded the third quarter with a dagger 3-pointer to give the Gamecocks a 52-33 lead. Heading into the final frame, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley raved about her senior forward.

“Proud. Proud. She stuck with us when it wasn’t popular,” Staley said. “You can see if she wants to play anything less than her standard, she probably should have transferred but she wanted to play to her standard, and she’s stepped up in a big way.

“We need her more than anything. She’s been holding it down with bigger, stronger, more-girth post players because she’s smart, and she’s talented, and she’s skillful and she’s utilizing all those things right now.”

Feagin finished the game with 11 points, six rebounds and three assists while shooting 5-7 from the field. Feagin scored double figures in all three of the Gamecocks’ outings in the SEC Tournament. For reference, she’s only averaging 8.0 points per game.

Sania Feagin will be key to South Carolina’s success in the postseason. The Gamecocks haven’t lost a game this season when the 6-foot-3 standout scores eight or more points.

On3’s Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.