The South Carolina Gamecocks are marching triumphantly to the Final Four after a decisive 70-58 victory against Oregon State, marking their second consecutive undefeated season. Coach Dawn Staley has steered the team back to comfortable territory, and this time with a fresh starting lineup that seems poised for redemption. Tessa Johnson impressed with 15 points and Kamilla Cardoso followed up with 12 points, as per KATU.

Overcoming the odds and proving naysayers wrong, Dawn Staley shared her pride in the team's belief in themselves and their commitment to the team's chemistry and culture, in a statement obtained by the Associated Press.

The Gamecocks, who lost to Iowa in last year's national semifinals, sense that things are different this season with guard Raven Johnson claiming, "We're different this year. I think we can do a lot of things. We can shoot from outside, drive. We can play from the inside out," she told AP, emphasizing the team's versatile and determined nature.

The Gamecocks will now set their sights on either Texas or N.C. State in the upcoming battle in Cleveland, as reported by NBC Chicago. A triumphant end to the season could see South Carolina joining the elite ranks of undefeated national champions, a title not claimed since UConn achieved the feat in 2016. During the game against Oregon State, the Gamecocks' lead had dwindled but Johnson’s late critical three-point play and subsequent free throws sealed the win.

Despite letting a double-digit lead slip in the second half for the second straight game, South Carolina's young squad didn't fold under pressure, making the key plays when it counted most true underdogs they did not duck and weave the challenges but tackled them head on. On the losing side, Oregon State, who had a spirited rally late in the game, saw Raegan Beers topping their score charts with 16 points, a detail highlighted by NBC Chicago.