Defending Champion South Carolina Returns to Final Four, Beating Duke 54–50 in March Madness

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley autographs a baby's clothes after defeating Duke in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament to advance to the Final Four in Birmingham, Ala., on March 30, 2025. Butch Dill/AP Photo

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Dawn Staley took a victory lap around the court, giving high-fives to fans and South Carolina’s band and even autographing the rear end of a baby’s pants.

The Gamecocks’ coach has her team back in a familiar place—the Final Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament. This time, South Carolina had to grind out a close game to get there.