NC State vs. South Carolina final score, results: Kamilla Cardoso powers Gamecocks to national title game

David Suggs

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NC State vs. South Carolina final score, results: Kamilla Cardoso powers Gamecocks to national title game image

Dawn Staley has transformed South Carolina from an afterthought to a perennial national championship contender over the course of her 16-year career with the Gamecocks.

The two-time national title-winning coach will have the chance to hoist more hardware Sunday.

Powered by Kamilla Cardoso and Ashlyn Watkins, No. 1 seed South Carolina throttled No. 3 seed NC State, 78-59, to advance to its second national championship game in four seasons.

The Gamecocks (37-0) put on a clinic in the second half, holding the Wolfpack (31-7) to just six points in the third quarter to break open what had been a competitive contest.

Cardoso was a force in the interior. The projected WNBA lottery pick dropped 22 points and 11 rebounds on 10-of-12 shooting to keep South Carolina out in front during a tight first half.

Aziaha James (20 points) and Zoe Brooks (12 points) were the standout players for NC State, finding success early amid a steady stream of jumpers. But with Cardoso and Watkins surveilling the paint, the Wolfpack could not keep up.

For South Carolina, Watkins continued her strong play from the Elite Eight. The high-flying sophomore tallied a career-best 20 rebounds against the Wolfpack, routinely rising into the heavens to bring down unruly misses. Her total is tied for the third-most prolific rebounding display in Final Four history, falling just short of the 25 boards Teaira McCowan snatched against Louisville back in 2018.

A tight clash turned into a blowout in the blink of an eye. Now the Gamecocks find themselves in rarefied position, on the brink of a national title and an unbeaten season, an achievement that hasn't been reached since a Breanna Stewart-led UConn squad did so in 2015-16.

WOMEN'S MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket news | TV schedule

The Sporting News tracked live updates from the Final Four clash between NC State and South Carolina. Follow below for highlights and more as two of the nation's biggest programs compete under the bright lights for a chance at glory.

STREAM: Watch NC State vs. South Carolina live with Sling TV

NC State vs. South Carolina score

  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
NC State 16 15 6 22 59
South Carolina 16 16 29 17 78

NC State vs. South Carolina live updates, results, highlights from 2024 Women's Final Four

(All times Eastern)

8:52 p.m.: This one looks firmly in South Carolina's grasp. The Gamecocks lead by 17 points with a little less than two minutes left.

8:43 p.m.: Watkins is well within striking distance of Teaira McGowan's record for most rebounds in a single Final Four contest (25). A little less than seven minutes left for Watkins to set a new record in that category.

8:39 p.m.: Watkins is up to 19 rebounds on the day. What a showcase on the boards for the sophomore star.

8:35 p.m.: South Carolina interestingly opens up the fourth-quarter in a zone defense. Perhaps practicing ahead of the Gamecocks' prospective matchup in the national championship game.

End of third quarter: South Carolina 61, NC State 37

8:29 p.m.: Paopao buries a deep three as the Gamecocks extend their lead beyond the 20-point plateau. Just a game-altering sequence from South Carolina, who put its foot on the throats of the Wolfpack during the third quarter.

8:24 p.m.: The Gamecocks are starting to put some distance between themselves and the Wolfpack. Tessa Johnson sinks a three, followed up by a Fulwiley layup after another steal. South Carolina is up 17.

8:12 p.m.: Cardoso is back in this one. And she hasn't missed a beat, looking composed and refreshed in the early moments of the third. She's already dished a delicate pass to Watkins for one bucket. Now, she's nabbed a couple of her own, sinking wide-open layups as SC extends its lead to a game-high 12 points. The Brazilian star has 20 points so far.

End of second quarter: South Carolina 32, NC State 31

7:50 p.m.: Impressive bit of skill by Feagin, who displaces her marker before flicking a lefty hook into the basket.

7:49 p.m.: Collinssinks a pull-up three and this game is tied at 30.

7:48 p.m.: Cardoso had been putting on a virtuoso performance. However, she exited to the locker room after appearing to suffer a lower leg injury. One to watch for as this game goes on.

7:39 p.m.: The Wolfpack aren't done yet, however. Baldwin races beyond Cardoso to sink a layup. Now, with Cardoso to the bench, they'll hope to make some magic happen and keep things interesting.

7:38 p.m.: Cardoso has each of South Carolina's last 10 points. What a first-half showing by the prospective lottery pick, who has been great on both ends. She's got 14 points and five rebounds so far.

7:34 p.m.: Cardoso is beginning to assert herself in the paint. Has already netted a three successful layups thus far, rising above a weary Baldwin to get to the basket.

End of first quarter: NC State 16, South Carolina 16

7:27 p.m.: Despite surrendering six turnovers in the opening moments, NC State worked its way back into this one. James has been sumptuous, pouring in eight points to spearhead the Wolfpack.

7:16 p.m.: After surrendering an early 5-0 lead, the Wolfpack spring to action. Collins, Baldwin and James spearhead a 10-2 run for NC State.

7:11 p.m.: Paopao opens the the scoring with a delicate floater over Baldwin's outstretched grasp.

7:06 p.m.: And here's the Wolfpack's' starters:

  • Saniya Rivers
  • Aziaha James
  • Madison Hayes
  • Mimi Collins
  • River Baldwin

7:05 p.m.: The Gamecocks are playing the following starters for Friday's contest:

  • Te-Hina Paopao
  • Raven Johnson
  • Chloe Kitts
  • Bree Hall
  • Kamilla Cardoso 

6:40 p.m.: Staley looking as elegant as ever, strutting into the contest with a polka dot jacket and her signature parachute joggers.

6:30 p.m.: One storyline to watch: Saniya Rivers' battle against her former team, South Carolina, and former coach, Dawn Staley. Doesn't seem like there's any ill will in their relationship, however.

5:40 p.m.: The Gamecocks are in the building for this one.

What channel is NC State vs. South Carolina on today?

  • TV channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: Sling

The Final Four duel between NC State and South Carolina will be broadcast on ESPN. Cord-cutters can live stream the game on Sling.

NC State vs. South Carolina start time

  • Date: Friday, April 5
  • Time: 7:00 p.m.

The Wolfpack and the Gamecocks clash on Friday, April 5 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.

Women's Final Four schedule 2024

Final Four

Friday, April 5

Matchup Time (ET) TV
No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 3 NC State 7 p.m. ESPN
No. 1 Iowa vs. No. 3 UConn 9:30 p.m. ESPN

National championship

Sunday, April 7

Matchup Time (ET) TV
TBD 3:00 p.m. ABC

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David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.