Takeaways: MiLaysia Fulwiley helps South Carolina avoid Sweet 16 upset

The creative guard wasted no time making an impact — scoring or assisting on 7 points in four minutes — to push the top-seeded Gamecocks ahead entering the final quarter.

“MiLaysia just wants to win, so this is probably the time she locks in more than others because it’s win or go home,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley told reporters postgame. 

Fulwiley scored 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field in the second half — including 11 in the fourth quarter — to hold off No. 4 seed Maryland’s upset bid. She had a game-high 23 points overall.

Here are three takeaways from the Gamecocks’ 71-67 win ahead of their matchup with No. 2 seed Duke in the Elite Eight on Sunday.

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Fulwiley is built for the big moments

Fulwiley is built for March. Any time South Carolina has needed a bucket in pivotal movements over the last two seasons, she’s delivered.

With under four minutes left in the third quarter, the 5’10 guard used a hesitation dribble at the 3-point line, spun into the lane to create space, and delivered a jump pass to senior guard Te-Hina Paopao for a layup that put the Gamecocks ahead 46-45.

“I saw a double-team coming when I crossed the half-court line on my transition move,” Fulwiley told reporters postgame about that play. “That let me know someone was going to be open.”

South Carolina outscored Maryland by 8 points once Fulwiley entered the game in the third quarter, helping build momentum at a time when the Gamecocks were searching for any perimeter shot creation.

“She’s a big-time player,” Paopao told The Next postgame. “When we need a big-time bucket, she’s the go-to. We all thank her for helping us survive and advance. I’m really proud of her progress.”

Since South Carolina’s loss to UCLA in November, when Fulwiley played just three minutes before being benched, she has grown into a more reliable decision-maker. She’s learned how to respond to Staley’s tough coaching and build on the learning moments.

“There was an instance in this game where I got on her big-time,” Staley said. “Two months ago, she wouldn’t have been able to recover from it. Two months ago, she would have shut down and we probably would have lost the game because she was the only one who could really manufacture her own shot and make baskets.”

That growth was on full display against Maryland as she stepped up when the team needed her most. Fulwiley executed behind-the-back moves into runners, blew past defenders for layups, finished through contact for and-1s, hit a 3-pointer and even blocked a shot on defense. She did it all.

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South Carolina continues to struggle in half-court offense

Despite a strong core returning from its undefeated 2023-24 season, one glaring question for South Carolina this season has been half-court shot creation. With 6’7 center Kamilla Cardoso now in the WNBA, the pressure has shifted to the guards to create quality offensive looks.

In parts of Friday’s Sweet 16 game, those struggles were evident. Outside of forward Chloe Kitts and Fulwiley, no one scored in the first quarter, as the rest of the team shot 0-for-10 from the field. The second quarter wasn’t much better, with South Carolina managing just 14 points on 23.5% shooting.

“I felt like [Maryland] packed the paint, and we didn’t do a good job adjusting to that,” Paopao said about the offensive struggles in the second quarter. “I also thought we could do better with ball movement and playing with more pace — especially when our posts were doubled.”

Paopao in particular has struggled recently. Over the last 10 games, she’s shot 28.6% from 3-point range (10-for-35) after leading the nation at 46.8% last season.

Fulwiley stepped up when needed, but the question remains: Can South Carolina repeat as champions if Paopao isn’t hitting threes and Fulwiley has an off night? The answer is likely no.

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Maryland fights on defense

Maryland entered the game as a massive underdog, with most people expecting South Carolina to run away with the victory. But that wasn’t reality. 

The Terrapins are known for their offense, ranking No. 8 nationally in points scored per 100 possessions against Quad 1 opponents, per CBB Analytics. (Quad 1 games are home games against teams in the top 25 in the NET, neutral-site games against top-35 teams and road games against top-45 teams.) But defensive activity was what kept them in the game against South Carolina. 

“I know we’re disappointed because we felt like through the journey and through this game that we had a chance to be able to move on,” Maryland head coach Brenda Frese told reporters postgame. “But we hold our head high just given how we played tonight.”

Despite the loss, Maryland’s run to the Sweet 16 had a lot of positive moments. Point guard Sarah Te-Biasu channled some Purdue Carsen Edwards for a three-game stretch, guard Shyanne Sellers played 36 minutes through a knee injury, guard Kaylene Smikle hit tough shots, and guard/forward Mir McLean stepped into a larger role with guard Bri McDaniel sidelined with a torn ACL.

“I’m so proud of this group. I’m so proud of how we fought,” Sellers told reporters postgame. “We made it a great game, and I know people thought we were going to get crushed by 20. And I think we set the record straight to stop doubting Maryland again and again.”

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