South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has always had a knack for finding humor even in tough moments, and Sunday was no exception.
After her team’s 82-59 loss to UConn in the women’s national championship a result that ranked among the most lopsided in NCAA history, Staley candidly acknowledged the defeat, saying the Huskies “beat our ass.” Despite the tough loss, she commended her players’ effort. “Our kids gave it all they had,” she said. “When you understand why you lost and having been on the winning side before you can accept it. We lost to a great team that dominated us, but they didn’t make us like it. There’s a difference.”
She pointed to her team’s struggles with ball control as a key issue, citing 11 turnovers and a 34.4% field goal percentage. “We rushed shots, missed layups, and they made us pay,” she explained.
Although South Carolina will be saying goodbye to a core senior class that helped define the program’s dominance names like Bree Hall, Raven Johnson, and Te-Hina Paopao—Staley remains optimistic. She believes the younger players will grow from this experience. “I hope they’re crying,” she said of underclassmen such as freshmen Joyce Edwards and sophomore MiLaysia Fulwiley. “That emotion fuels hard work in the offseason. It makes you reflect and figure out how to close the gap between us and a team like UConn.”
Staley expressed admiration for her seniors, saying she gave them “their last flowers” in the locker room and reminded them to leave with pride. “No other women’s college players have accomplished what they have. They’re the winningest class I’d say, in the country and I’m proud of them.”
Looking forward, Staley is excited about the future of the program. She’s confident in the talent returning and hinted at bolstering the roster through the transfer portal. “The young players have to step up. We’ll have a tough schedule as always, but that’ll give them the chance to develop,” she said.
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