BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) โ Dawn Staley has seen a lot of growth in South Carolina star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley over the last few months.
The Gamecocks coach wasn’t happy with the way the sophomore was playing on either end of the court on Friday, so she lit into her in the third quarter. In the past, Staley knows Fulwiley couldn’t have handled the criticism.
This time, she listened to her coach and elevated her game. Fulwiley scored 16 of her 23 points in the second half, including a couple of dazzling plays to help the top-seeded Gamecocks beat fourth-seeded Maryland 71-67 in the Sweet 16 of the women’s NCAA Tournament.
Staley said earlier this season, Fulwiley โwouldn’t have been able to recover fromโ the harsh words.
โ(She’d) shut down. Probably have lost the game. She was the one who really could manufacture her own shots. Make baskets. She just wants to win. I think in those moments I can coach her the most,โ Staley said.
South Carolina was locked into a back-and-forth game with Maryland, in danger of becoming the first defending champion to lose in the Sweet 16 since 2013.
The Gamecocks trailed 60-59 with 3:25 left when Fulwiley’s aggressive play decided the game. She hit a layup to begin a 7-0 run that gave the Gamecocks just enough of a cushion.
She converted another coast-to-coast drive and a few free throws over the last few minutes.
โNo one in the country has anyone to match that type of speed,โ Maryland coach Brenda Frese said. โWe were trying to corral her with two or three players. I thought she was no question the most valuable player in this game. She played 20 minutes and had 23 points. We had no answer for her. Thatโs how elite she is with her speed.โ
That speed and big-play ability was on full display in the third quarter. Fulwiley had a nifty pass to Te-Hina Paopao, and then, with 22 seconds left in the period, she dribbled down the left side of the court, flipped the ball behind her back and swished a jumper that gave her team a two-point lead heading into the final quarter.
โJust went out there and tried to help my team to get closer to our next goal which was the Elite Eight and I did that,โ Fulwiley said.
South Carolina will face Duke in the Elite Eight on Sunday. The Blue Devils beat Atlantic Coast Conference rival North Carolina 47-38 earlier Friday.
___
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) lays in a basket around Maryland forward Allie Kubek (14) during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Credit: AP
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) lays in a basket around Maryland forward Allie Kubek (14) during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) is fouled by Maryland guard Kaylene Smikle (2) as she shoots during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Credit: AP
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) is fouled by Maryland guard Kaylene Smikle (2) as she shoots during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) looks to shoot over Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers (0) during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Credit: AP
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) looks to shoot over Maryland guard Shyanne Sellers (0) during the second half in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 28, 2025, in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
More Stories
Keep Reading
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) drives near the basket during the first half against Maryland in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 28, 2025. in Birmingham, Ala. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
MiLaysia Fulwiley helps defending champion South Carolina outlast Maryland 71-67 in March Madness
1h ago
Hall, Kitts rally top-seeded South Carolina to Sweet 16 in 64-53 March Madness win over Indiana
March Madness: No. 2 UConn routs Arkansas State 103-34 in opener as Fudd has 27 points
The Latest
Leave a Reply