Dawn Staley When she attended a postgame media session she tried to smile.
“My emotional support dog,” joked Staley.
The South Carolina coach and her defensive national champion certainly need some support after the end of their impressive streak. uconn on sunday.
Top-ranked UCLA finished the Gamecocks’ overall victory in November last year with a 77-62 victory. A week ago, South Carolina fell to No. 3 Texas, 66-62, finishing with a 57 regular season Southeastern Conference victory.
“All of our winning streaks have been broken this year,” Staley said. “But it was a hell of running.”
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This last one, which began after a 54-46 defeat to North Carolina on December 3, 2020, is an 18,000-seat arena game where people enthusiastically come and try to win after the game. I filled it.
They were there again on Sunday, sold out at a strong of 18,000, hoping Gamecocks would continue their program’s record.
However, it was Azzi Fudd, Sarah Strong and Coach Geno Auriemma who used relentless defense and non-stop offense to end the South Carolina series’ four-game victory.
FUDD scored 28 points from six three-pointers, but Strong, the nation’s top appearance this season, has scored 16 points and 13 rebounds.
Fad said she and her teammates didn’t expect a blown victory. “But we were ready for anything they threw at us,” she said.
Strong’s mother is South Carolina Alison Feaster, who once held a score record for a state high school and was Staley’s teammate at WNBA’s Charlotte Sting.
“Impressive” was the way Staley described as strong. “We wanted her.”
The Gamecocks fell 45-23 in the half, double digits behind in the second quarter.
South Carolina’s Tehina Papao said the team made too many mistakes and didn’t make a strong effort against the Huskies.
“We have to learn and grow from this opportunity,” she said. “We have to do better work, giving effort and putting in mentally and physically.”
Staley also cited her team not striving to lose, calling her a “F” if her players were being scored in college.
“They were with us,” Staley said. “We don’t try to find a silver lining. We were beaten and beaten badly.”
Staley said it’s important for the Gamecocks to return to their defense and offensive habits that started 22-1 before losing two of their last three games.
“I think we’re a little bit mentally and physically exhausted,” she said. “It’s just the Season Gauntlet, but it’s time to reorganize and get it back.”
