Defending champion South Carolina tops Maryland to roll into 3rd straight Final 4

Aliyah Boston had 22 points and 10 rebounds, Zia Cooke scored 18 points and top-seeded South Carolina used its smothering defence to take control in the second quarter, outlasting second-seeded Maryland 86-75 on Monday night in Greenville, South Carolina, to reach its third straight Final Four.

Coach Dawn Staley's team improved to 36-0 this season with its 42nd straight victory dating to last year's NCAA title run. The Gamecocks are now two games away from repeating as champions and completing the 10th undefeated season in the women's game.

South Carolina will play Iowa and do-it-all star Caitlin Clark in the national semifinals in Dallas on Friday night.

As Zia Cooke said, “We’re going to Dallas baby!”