The South Carolina Gamecocks may have suffered a great heartbreak, but that didn’t stop Dawn Staley from saying what she did.

The Gamecocks couldn’t turn their 4^th title dream into reality, falling short to the UCLA Bruins by 79-51. But seeing Gabriela Jaquez’s game, Staley had to highlight it especially, moving past her own team’s shortcomings.

“Hard matchup. You know exactly what she's gonna do, and she does”, the coach said postgame. “She's relentless. She's a relentless rebounder. A relentless just -- champion-type behaviour and intangibles that are needed for you to win."

In the game, the Bruins outperformed the Gamecocks in every aspect. But Jaquez’s 21 points and 10 assists were a cherry on top. She even added 5 assists. So, when a coach like Staley calls someone “relentless” thrice, that is serious.

Plus, UCLA dismantled South Carolina’s defense and offense both. Their overpowering defensive strategy forced the Gamecocks to a season-worst shooting, limiting their scoring prowess. And Staley knows her team had to “play better basketball, make shots, create offense.”

However, none of that happened. But the Gamecocks’ coach knew that a loss doesn’t define the whole trajectory of her program. And if anything, she had further praise for the winners.

Dawn Staley on Cori Close and Her Team

Not winning despite getting so far was pressuring, more because the Gamecocks are “used to winning at a pretty high clip.” Staley knew her team could’ve performed better, but more than that, she knew how competent the Bruins’ coach is.

“Cori is one of those people who really works at making our game better. Not just UCLA, but our entire game”, Staley said. “Although we didn’t win, I can swallow it because we lost to a really good human being and a good team that represents women’s basketball well.”

And UCLA as a team was lethal for the Gamecocks to handle; they simply didn’t allow South Carolina to play in their usual rhythm. “The things (Gamecocks) built (their) success on weren’t happening”, and UCLA used it at their best.

So, there’s no denying the strong play the Bruins put up. While Jaquez was a part of it, it was the whole program that ruled the hardwood.

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Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy