GREENSBORO, N.C. — South Carolina's women's basketball program continued its relentless march through the 2026 NCAA Tournament on Sunday, defeating Oklahoma 72-65 in a Sweet 16 matchup that proved far tighter than the Gamecocks' top seeding suggested. Head coach Dawn Staley's squad trailed by four points at halftime before rallying in the third quarter to reassert control, advancing to the Elite Eight for the fourth consecutive year.

Senior guard Raven Johnson led South Carolina with 21 points, six assists, and four steals, repeatedly disrupting Oklahoma's half-court sets and igniting transition opportunities. The Sooners, seeded fifth in the region, were carried by guard Skylar Vann's 24-point effort but could not overcome South Carolina's suffocating defensive rotations in the final ten minutes.

The game reflected the current story line developing around the USC women's program — how to watch, what to expect, and whether anyone in the bracket can slow Staley's machine. The answer on Sunday was a qualified no. Oklahoma shot 38 percent from the field and was held to just nine points in the decisive third quarter as the Gamecocks forced eight turnovers in the period alone.

Staley praised Oklahoma's fight in her post-game remarks, noting that Jennie Baranczyk's squad had clearly prepared for South Carolina's pressure. 'They made us earn every possession,' Staley said. 'Our group showed real toughness coming back in the second half. That's what championship teams do.' South Carolina will now face the winner of the opposite bracket semi in the regional final next week.

The victory keeps South Carolina's national-title hopes firmly intact as the bracket narrows. With the program's depth, defensive identity, and Staley's postseason pedigree, the Gamecocks remain the odds-on favorite to cut down the nets in April.