Markeshia's Corner: South Carolina leaves no doubt, captures ninth SEC Tournament title

🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀

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Winning comes from trusting the process, staying disciplined when it gets tough, and embracing losses as lessons—because greatness is never as easy as it looks. But South Carolina’s win against Texas left no doubt—they run the SEC. The Gamecocks secured their ninth SEC Tournament title in 11 years, completed a three-peat in dominant fashion, and got their first win over a No. 1 team in program history.

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Game Highlights

South Carolina dominated across the board, proving once again why they’re built for championships:

• Three SEC All-Tournament selections – Chloe Kitts (Tournament MVP), Sania Feagin, and MiLaysia Fulwiley

• Four players in double figures – Sania, Chloe, Joyce, and Tessa

• 42.9% shooting from the field

• Perfect at the free throw line (7-of-7)

• 15 assists

• Won the rebounding battle 37-35

• Eight steals

• 30 bench points – a major lift from the “Seatbelt Gang”

Standout Performances

Sania Feagin – The Anchor

Sania delivered another efficient performance, dropping 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting (71%), while adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals—earning SEC All-Tournament honors. She had her own Kamilla Cardoso moment to close the third quarter when Paopao drove the baseline, kicked it out to her at the top of the key for three, and swish—the crowd erupted!

Chloe Kitts – Versatility at Its Best

Chloe “Tournament MVP” Kitts was one rebound away from another double-double, finishing with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. All tournament long, she locked in on whatever the Gamecocks needed—scoring, rebounding, passing, defending, or leading in her own way. That mentality earned her SEC Tournament MVP and a spot on the SEC All-Tournament Team.

Point Guard Play – Control & Composure

South Carolina’s point guards set the tone on both ends, with Paopao and Raven combining for 10 rebounds, 6 points, 5 assists, and 2 blocks, controlling the tempo from start to finish.

Breezy Hall & Tessa Johnson vs. Madison Booker

Texas’ leading scorer, Madison Booker, never found her rhythm against South Carolina’s relentless defense, led by Breezy Hall and Tessa Johnson. The duo used their length, forced tough shots, and kept constant pressure, holding Booker to just 4-of-13 shooting (30%). They also limited her to just one offensive rebound.

Raven Johnson vs. Rori Harmon

Raven made it a mission to slow down Rori Harmon, forcing her to focus more on scoring than running Texas’ offense. She played her honest, made her uncomfortable, and forced uncharacteristic decisions—a key factor in Texas struggling to find any rhythm. The result? The lowest point total (tied) in an SEC Tournament championship game.

Battle in the Paint – South Carolina’s Frontcourt Dominated

South Carolina’s bigs outplayed Texas in the paint in every way:

• Texas’ frontcourt: 6-of-15 shooting, 18 points, 14 rebounds

• South Carolina’s frontcourt: 16-of-27 shooting (59%), 37 points, 18 rebounds

They were physical without fouling, controlled the boards, and never let Texas get comfortable.

Bench Production – Seatbelt Gang Shows Up

South Carolina’s bench delivered in a big way, adding 30 points, with key contributions from:

• Tessa Johnson – 14 points

• Joyce Edwards – 11 points, 3 rebounds

• MiLaysia Fulwiley – 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals

Dawn Staley vs. Vic Schaefer – The Streak Continues

Dawn Staley remains undefeated against Vic Schaefer in SEC title matchups, now sitting at 5-0. In postseason play? 7-0.

Up Next: Selection Sunday

With the SEC Tournament title secured, The Gamecocks now turn their focus to March Madness. South Carolina has the strongest case for the No. 1 overall seed based on their complete resume. They’re No. 2 in the NET rankings, No. 1 in strength of schedule, 15-3 in Quad 1 games, and the reigning SEC regular season and tournament champions. No team has faced a tougher road this season and delivered at this level. Where will the Gamecocks land? We’ll find out on Selection Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 8 p.m. 

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🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀

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