South Carolina women’s basketball team, ranked at the top with a record of 5-1, faced their first defeat after a remarkable streak of 43 consecutive wins. Head coach Dawn Staley shared her philosophical outlook after the Gamecocks fell to fifth-ranked UCLA with a score of 77-62, trailing by as many as 23 points.
Staley remarked, “This is a situation we are usually putting teams in. Experiencing it from the other end is not a pleasant feeling. However, it’s important to acknowledge that we were outplayed by a great team. The display of basketball from UCLA was beautiful on both offense and defense.”
Despite the loss, Staley noted that the team’s issue with inconsistent focus throughout the season didn’t surface during the game against UCLA. She praised her players for their preparedness and concentration, emphasizing that losses like this can serve as a motivating factor for future games.
Staley attributed the team’s ongoing adjustment to the absence of Kamilla Cardoso, a significant player from last season who played a pivotal role in securing the national championship. She acknowledged the need for the team’s big players to step up and contribute more offensively.
UCLA’s impressive shooting percentages were unexpected for Staley, as she commended her team’s effort while recognizing the strength of their opponent. Despite the defeat, Staley remains confident in the team’s ability to bounce back and improve.
One bright spot from the game was the performance of sophomore guard Tessa Johnson, who showed promise with 14 points, just shy of her season high, in her second game back from injury. Staley praised Johnson’s potential and expressed excitement for her future development within the team.
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