South Carolina clinched a thrilling victory against a resilient Tennessee Lady Volunteers team, thanks to Kamila Cardoso's last-second 3-pointer. This win propels them back to the SEC Championship and college basketball fans on X are excited about the epic moment.
KAMILLA. FREAKING. CARDOSO!!! pic.twitter.com/KxV40Osnhe
— South Carolina Women's Basketball (@GamecockWBB) March 9, 2024
Cardoso was left wide-open at the top of the key to catch the inbound pass and shoot up the game-winning 3-point jumper with 1.1 second left on the game clock. The crowd erupted after the ball swished through the hoop and the Lady Gamecocks stormed the court to celebrate their championship berth with Cardoso. The 3-point jumper is only the second attempt in her career and her first make. The last time she attempted a triple was in the 2020-2021 season while still a player at Syracuse.
“KAMILLA, SHOOT IT.”
Dawn Staley had all the confidence in her team 😤 @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/IedIZp9QUA
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) March 10, 2024
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley joined ESP's postgame show to speak about what led to the epic shot.
“We didn't have any timeouts. But I know with the players we have on the floor…pretty much the only player that was going to be open is Kamilla. So I just told Raven to get the ball to Kamilla. And I told Kamilla to pass it to Pao and at the last second I said,' Kamilla, shoot it.' Oh my God! It couldn't have happened to a better person like she's worked and her mom, her sister, her agent, the first time they get a chance to see her play and she gives them that.”
You can see Dawn Staley making the final play (with no timeouts). She told Cardoso to move up to the foul line and pass to Paopao in the corner. But, right before the inbound, she gives Cardoso the green light to shoot it pic.twitter.com/SRWJTRzBLR
— Nato Jacobs (@dcmadness202) March 9, 2024
Footage from the broadcast that shows Staley's communication with Cardoso before the shot shows her retelling to be true. Staley appeared to motion for Cardoso to move down to the free-throw line but then told her to shoot the ball once she saw how much space the Lady Vols defenders were giving her. The on-the-fly adjustment led to the clutch jumper.
Former South Carolina basketball great Aja Wilson chimed in on the epic win on X with a simple post saying, “LLFGGGGG”.
Other college basketball fans chimed in on X as well, expressing astonishment in Cardoso's shot.
“SOUTH CAROLINA ABSOLUTE BONKERS hell of a time for your first career 3,” @diidlake posted.
“UNBELIEVABLE WITH THE UNDEFEATED RECORD ON THE LINE & YOUR MOM AND SIS WATCHING! That stepback bank was a textbook beauty! @dawnstaley letting Christmas come early,” posted @Kay1Belle.
Rapper and popular social media personality Plies posted, “We Needed This Win & This Experience (Close Game). Put God 1st & Great Things Will Happen!!! Love Ya Coach”
Meanwhile, @ByMikeWilson shared a sentiment that many basketball fans watching from home were thinking about the Lady Vol's defense on the final possession. “Choosing to leave a player — shooter or not — wide open at the top of the key is a heck of a decision, Lady Vols.”
South Carolina will play the winner of the Ole Miss vs. LSU matchup in the SEC Championship on tomorrow at 3 PM EST on ESPN.
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