Uncommon favor: Kamilla Cardoso 'Met the Moment' with the game-winning 3-pointer

This is what March is made of — making adjustments on the fly with no timeouts left, being down by 2 points with 1.1 seconds left to go in the game, and hitting a game-winning shot at the buzzer. Surviving and advancing.

South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso met the moment with poise and a confidence that only she could have—while her mother and sister watched on, as she hit the game-winning 3 for the Gamecocks to get the win over the Tennessee Lady Vols 74-73. That’s uncommon favor. 

First Half

The South Carolina Gamecocks defense had the Lady Vols fans standing up for roughly 7 minutes in the first quarter waiting for them to score their first points, as the Gamecocks opened the game on a 13-0 run. Rickea Jackson hit Tennessee’s first basket around the 2:40 mark in the first quarter. However, the Gamecocks continued to play good defense, get points in transition, and had a comfortable 36-23 lead going into half-time.

Momentum Shift

“Tennessee played some excellent basketball…they made adjustments. They clawed their way back in the game. They took the momentum.” said Dawn Staley. 

Momentum shifted to the Lady Vols in the second half, which gave Tennessee an advantage. An offensive rebound and the go ahead bucket by Rickea Jackson put the Lady Vols up by 2. The Gamecock saw a 13 point half-time lead be depleted down to Tennessee being in the lead 71-73 with 24.5 seconds to go in the fourth quarter. Jackson ended the game with 22 points, 9 Rebs and 8 assists. Jewel Spear added 21 points. 

The Moment

The significance of the game-winning play started with MiLaysia Fulwiley being able to use her speed to get the ball in the front court before being fouled. This was an excellent strategy to be able put her team in position to get a shot off with 1.1 seconds left in the game.

South Carolina’s Raven Johnson was asked “did you think you guys had lost this game?” “No. I looked at Coach. She’s like, we’re good. Okay, if she say we’re good, we’re good. If she thinks we’re good, then we should think we’re good,” said Johnson. They were more than good. They were ready for the moment.

“Shoot it” Dawn Staley said to Kamilla Cardoso after she realized that Te-Hina Paopao would not be open for a shot to tie or win the game. So, with 1.1 seconds on the clock, Cardoso catches the inbound pass from Raven Johnson, she turns and shoots—time expires and Cardoso’s 3 banks in off the backboard for the WIN. All of her teammates storm the court to pile on top of her in complete shock! Cardoso stated that: “I was very happy that my teammates believed in me to take the shot. I’m happy I made it and now we are headed to the finals.” This was Cardoso’s first career made 3 point shot. It could not have come at a better time than this.

Cardoso and Fulwiley led all Gamecocks with 13 a piece. Raven Johnson added 11 points. 

There was a sigh of relief from all of Gamecock nation as the FAMS were able to keep their hotels one more night because the Gamecocks are still undefeated, still No.1, and playing for an SEC championship today!

“We found a way. We found a way to make it happen.” – Dawn Staley.

Notables

• First career 3pt make for Kamilla Cardoso
• Bench Production – 33 points 
• 41 total rebounds (18 offensive rebounds)
• Only 9 turnovers

Up Next: It’s Now or Never.

South Carolina vs. LSU 

A rematch between two SEC favorites. The last two NCAAW National Champions.

Last time out, the Gamecocks had five players in double figures scoring—as they won on the Road in Baton Rouge in front of a sold-out crowd 76-70 that snapped LSU’s 29-game home winning streak.

Crucial moment

Angel Reese fouled out of the game with about 4 minutes left in the fourth quarter. She had 15 points and 8 rebounds. This in turn allowed Kamilla Cardoso to go work inside to help propel her team to victory.

Breezy Hall hit a 3, to put the Gamecocks up by 3. Hailey Van Lith then tied the game at 70 before Kamilla Cardoso made a crucial play by kicking out the pass to Hall in the corner for the 3. This put the Gamecocks up 3 again. Nevertheless, Raven Johnson sealed the game by hitting the go ahead layup to put the Gamecocks up 5. 

This was a great win for the Gamecocks in a hostile environment that has prepared them for March.

Keys to win

• Meet the moment…again.

• Defense and Depth

• Take care of the basketball – no unforced turnovers

• Bench production

• Rebounding/boxing out

• Share the basketball 

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