Dawn Staley's Gamecocks secured a tight win over No. 4 Texas, but the coach's focus was on one player's crucial shot.

The focus shifted to senior center Madina Okot, whose fourth-quarter moment shifted the momentum in the Gamecocks' favor.

"She couldn’t hit it at a more important time for her and for us. She is working through some things and when you are working through some things, you just have to get through the other side. … She hasn’t been in this situation before. It is unfamiliar territory. It is big stakes and big games. It takes some time to get used to."

The fourth quarter turned into a back-and-forth battle featuring nine lead changes. And then Joyce Edwards gave South Carolina a 58-57 edge with 4:12 remaining after drawing a foul and converting a three-point play.

That set up Madina Okot perfectly. Booker missed a jumper, and Okot was left open by the Longhorns. She took the shot to give the Gamecocks one of their biggest leads of the game. The center hasn't attempted three a lot this season, but this time she made it count.

With her third three-pointer of the season, the Gamecocks had a 61-57 lead with nearly four minutes on the clock, a lead they protected to end the game 68-65.

Later, Madina Okot Explained the Decision to Shoot

"I’ve been practicing for it in practices. I was like, I’m wide open, let me try it, and it went in."

She finished with 10 points and 5 rebounds, a quieter stat line than her Georgia performance, but the timing made all the difference. 

Just Sunday, she put together a dominant double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Gamecocks roll on, hosting Coppin State on Sunday. In a season of tight SEC games, moments like Okot's are crucial for the team's development.

Written by

Ishika Ghosh

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar