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South Carolina blows by Oklahoma to advance to women's Elite Eight: Highlights
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- South Carolina blows by Oklahoma to advance to women's Elite Eight: Highlights
SACARMENTO, CA — The Oklahoma women's basketball team upset South Carolina in the regular season, but the Gamecocks got the last laugh in the Sweet 16.
No. 1-seeded South Carolina defeated No. 4 Oklahoma 94-68 in a wire-to-wire victory in the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament on Saturday, punching the Gamecocks' ticket to their sixth consecutive Elite Eight appearance.
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The win was a total team effort for South Carolina, who had three players finish in double digits. Ta'Niya Latson led the way with a game-high 28 points in the first Sweet 16 appearance of her career, going a perfect 4-of-4 from the 3-point line. Raven Johnson finished with 18 points, Tessa Johnson added 14 points and Agot Makeer had 10 points off the bench.
The Gamecocks shot 51% from the field and 10-of-14 (71%) from the 3-point line, marking the team's best performance from beyond the arc all season.
Oklahoma freshman guard Aaliyah Chavez had 21 points in the losing effort.
South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson waves to the crowd after her final home game.
USA TODAY Sports is providing live updates and highlights from Saturday's matchup. Here's all the highlights and score updates from South Carolina vs. Oklahoma's Sweet 16 battle:
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Madina Okot hits rebound milestone
South Carolina center Madina Okot has passed A'ja Wilson for second all-time on South Carolina's single-season total rebounds list. Her 12 rebounds so far bring her total to 394, three more than Wilson. Okot's inside presence has been a key factor in the Gamecocks' dominant performance over Oklahoma and its star center Raegan Beers , who has eight rebounds.
Indiana Fever center Aliyah Boston holds the South Carolina women's basketball single-season rebounding record of 447, set during the 2021-22 season. − Dylan Clearfield
End of Q3: South Carolina 68, Oklahoma 49
South Carolina led by as many as 25 points and the Gamecocks carry a 19-point lead into the fourth quarter. Three South Carolina players are in double digits, led by 18 points each from Raven Johnson and Ta'Niya Latson. Tessa Johnson scored 11 of her 14 points in the third quarter.
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Oklahoma started to find its offensive rhythm in the frame, but couldn't put together stops to slow down South Carolina. Aaliyah Chavez has a team-high 14 points for the Sooners.
Tessa Johnson heats up in third quarter
The first half belonged to South Carolina guards Ta'Niya Latson and Raven Johnson, but the third quarter has belonged to Tessa Johnson, who scored nine of her 12 points in the first five minutes of the frame. Tessa Johnson is shooting 5-of-6 from the field including 2-of-2 from the 3-point line. South Carolina has a 62-38 lead over Oklahoma with 5:07 remaining.
Halftime: South Carolina 47, Oklahoma 28
South Carolina has a 19-point lead over Oklahoma heading into halftime. It may the first Sweet 16 appearance of Ta'Niya Latson's career, but you would never be able to tell. Latson has a game-high 18 points.
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Raven Johnson is on pace for a career night with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field including 2-of-3 from 3. Her career-high is 22 points against Louisiana State earlier this month on March 7.
South Carolina has held Oklahoma to 33% from the field and 2-of-9 from the 3-point line. No Oklahoma player has reached double digits in scoring.
Chloe Kitts wears Tessa Johnson hoodie
Gamecocks senior Chloe Kitts, who is out with an injury, made a subtle but meaningful statement on the sideline during South Carolina's warmups, wearing a hoodie that reads "Who can guard Tessa?" What started as a viral line from LSU coach Kim Mulkey has quickly turned into a full-blown movement centered around Tessa Johnson. First appearing on a T-shirt, and now a cream hoodie, the outfit is small gesture that speaks volumes, turning an inside joke into a symbol of team unity.
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The Gamecocks, though, might need a new shirt after this game: "Who Can Guard Raven?" Raven Johnson already has 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. − Erin Kirby
MORE: South Carolina rallying cry going into Sweet 16? Who can guard Tessa?
South Carolina winning rebound battle vs. Oklahoma
Oklahoma entered the game at second in the nation in rebounds per game (48.7). But midway through the second quarter, South Carolina is winning the rebound battle 18-12. Senior center Madina Okot leads the charge with seven boards. The Gamecocks rank 10th nationally in rebounds per game (42.3). − Dylan Clearfield
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South Carolina goes on 5-0 run
South Carolina opened the second quarter against Oklahoma on a 5-0 run to extend its lead to a game-high 15 points.
End of Q1: South Carolina 23, Oklahoma 13
South Carolina got off to a hot start and led by as many 12 points in the first quarter. They have a double-digit lead heading into the second quarter.
Raven Johnson (9) and Ta'Niya Latson (8) combined for 17 of South Carolina's 23 first-quarter points. South Carolina is outrebounding Oklahoma 17-7. Madina Okot is already up to seven rebounds.
Aaliyah Chavez leads Oklahoma with seven points. The Sooners struggled to find their rhythm in the first quarter. They shot 32% from the field and 1-of-5 from the 3-point line.
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South Carolina goes on 10-0 run
The Sweet 16 battle between South Carolina and Oklahoma is underway at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Ta'Niya Latson got South Carolina on the board with a fading jumper and knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Gamecocks a 5-0 lead. A Raven Johnson layup and three made free throws from Latson stretched South Carolina's lead to 10-0 with 7:22 left in the first quarter.
Oklahoma missed their first five field goals to open the game.
What time is South Carolina vs. Oklahoma Sweet 16 game?
The No. 1 South Carolina Gamecocks will face off against the No. 4 Oklahoma Sooners in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament at 5:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 28 in Sacramento, California.
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Date: Saturday, March 28
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Time: 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT)
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Location: Golden 1 Center (Sacramento, CA)
South Carolina vs. Oklahoma: TV, streaming
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Stream: ESPN Unlimited
South Carolina starting lineup
Head coach: Dawn Staley
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00 Ta'Niya Latson | G 5-8 - Senior
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5 Tessa Johnson | G 6-0 - Junior
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8 Joyce Edwards | F 6-3 - Sophomore
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11 Madina Okot | C 6-6 - Senior
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25 Raven Johnson | G 5-9 - Senior
Oklahoma Sooners starting lineup
Head coach: Jennie Baranczyk
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2 Aaliyah Chavez | G 5-10 - Freshman
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3 Zya Vann | G 5-9 - Sophomore
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6 Sahara Williams | F 5-11 - Junior
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12 Payton Verhulst | G 6-1 - Senior
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15 Raegan Beers | C 6-4 - Senior
A'ja Wilson compliments Raven Johnson
South Carolina alum A'ja Wilson said senior guard Raven Johnson "doesn't get talked about enough" during a recent interview with ESPN's Sean Hurd.
"We're talking about somebody that can count on her hand how many times she's lost," Wilson said. "To see her just weather storms – like when people would talk about her – she's showing up the next season, like, heard you. That type of stuff is what really is amazing to me when it comes to Ray. I'm so grateful to watch her grow. I'm grateful to see her thrive."
South Carolina takes the court
It's almost showtime at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
Who won South Carolina-Oklahoma regular season matchup?
South Carolina women's basketball is out for revenge.
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Oklahoma handed South Carolina its second loss of the season on Jan. 22, when freshman Aaliyah Chavez led the Sooners to a 94-82 overtime victory in Norman, Oklahoma. Chavez scored 15 of her game-high 26 points in overtime, including four 3-pointers to seal the Sooners third-ever win against an AP top 2 opponent.
South Carolina can get the last laugh on Saturday in the Sweet 16 round of the 2026 Women's NCAA Tournament. The Gamecocks has surpassed the 100-point mark in the first two games of the tournament against No. 16 Southern and No. 9 USC. Joyce Edwards is averaging a near double-double, averaging 25 points and nine rebounds through two games.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma blew out No. 13 Idaho 89-69 and survived a close 77-71 win over No. 5 Michigan State in the second round. Raegan Beers had 18 points and 14 rebounds in Oklahoma's second-round win.
South Carolina Gamecocks roster
| # |
NAME |
POS |
EXP |
HT |
HOMETOWN |
| 00 |
G |
Sr. |
5' 8" |
Miami, FL |
|
| 1 |
G |
Soph. |
5' 9" |
Upper Marlboro, MD |
|
| 5 |
G |
Jr. |
6' 0" |
Albertville, MN |
|
| 8 |
F |
Soph. |
6' 3" |
Camden, SC |
|
| 11 |
C |
Sr. |
6' 6" |
Mumias |
|
| 15 |
F |
Soph. |
6' 5" |
Grand Prairie, TX |
|
| 21 |
F |
Sr. |
6' 2" |
Oviedo, FL |
|
| 24 |
G |
Fr. |
6' 1" |
Cypress, TX |
|
| 25 |
G |
Sr. |
5' 9" |
Atlanta, GA |
|
| 30 |
F |
Sr. |
6' 4" |
Bentonville, AR |
|
| 31 |
F |
Fr. |
6' 4" |
Charmeil |
|
| 44 |
G |
Fr. |
6' 1" |
Thunder Bay, ON |
Oklahoma Sooners roster
| # |
NAME |
POS |
EXP |
HT |
HOMETOWN |
| 0 |
C |
Sr. |
6' 3" |
Overland Park, KS |
|
| 2 |
G |
Fr. |
5' 10" |
Lubbock, TX |
|
| 3 |
G |
Soph. |
5' 9" |
Edmond, OK |
|
| 4 |
F |
Soph. |
6' 1" |
Oklahoma City, OK |
|
| 6 |
F |
Jr. |
5' 11" |
Waterloo, IA |
|
| 10 |
F |
Fr. |
5' 11" |
Virginia |
|
| 12 |
G |
Sr. |
6' 1" |
De Soto, KS |
|
| 15 |
C |
Sr. |
6' 4" |
Littleton, CO |
|
| 21 |
F |
Fr. |
6' 3" |
Colorado Springs, CO |
|
| 22 |
G |
Fr. |
6' 0" |
Bethany, OK |
|
| 26 |
C |
Fr. |
6' 4" |
Draveil |
Reach USA TODAY National Women's Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson .
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: South Carolina ousts Oklahoma to advance to women's Elite Eight: Highlights
