It’s quite normal for high emotions to run wild after a big loss. But that’s not the case with Dawn Staley, who clearly knows how to own it.

After working their way to the final, the South Carolina Gamecocks fell short to the UCLA Bruins by a 79-51 defeat. But despite experiencing a cruel deja vu, the Gamecocks’ coach expressed what went wrong this time.

“We just didn’t have it today. They were the better team today. Congratulations to them”, Staley said postgame. “If you’re going to lose to a team, you want to lose to a team that just really outworked you, out-executed you, made it very difficult for you to perform at a high level.”

And that was exactly “a direct reflection of what (UCLA) did” to the Gamecocks. With their staggering defense, the Bruins limited South Carolina’s shooting. In front of Lauren Betts’ 6’7 towering size, the Gamecocks’ offense and defense all came undone.

Last year, the UConn Huskies took down the Gamecocks in the final, similarly, with an 82-59. So, having the Bruins repeat the same thing must’ve caused some discomfort. But Staley brushed past her own feelings.

Dawn Staley on Cori Close

Staley knew that her team “had to play better basketball, make shots, create offense… be better defensively” to take down the Bruins. While none of that happened, Staley’s stance for the Bruins and their coach is clear.

“I’m always happy for people that worked hard in this game, who are really quality people”, said Staley. “I want good things to happen for them. Cori is one of those people who really works at making our game better. Not just UCLA, but our entire game.”

So, even if the Gamecocks didn’t win, Staley can “swallow it because (she and her team) lost to a really good human being and a good team that represents women’s basketball well.”

It just wasn’t South Carolina’s day. But Staley will make sure her team returns to a position where they’ll be “hoisting the trophy at the end of the day.”

Do you think it’ll work out next season? Comment it down.

Follow She Got Game for more

Written by

Deblina Roy

Edited by

Souvik Roy