Kamilla Cardoso’s Buzzer-Beater 3-Pointer Saves South Carolina in SEC Tournament
In a thrilling semifinal match of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Tournament, Kamilla Cardoso, the leading scorer and rebounder for the No. 1 ranked South Carolina Gamecocks, came through in the clutch to save her team’s perfect season. With just 1.1 seconds left on the clock and her team trailing by two points, Cardoso received a pass from point guard Raven Johnson and launched a desperation shot from beyond the arc. The ball banked off the backboard and swished through the net, securing a dramatic 74-73 victory over the Tennessee Lady Vols.
South Carolina coach Dawn Staley knew that her first option for a game-winning shot, Te-Hina Paopao, would be heavily guarded by the Tennessee defense. So, she turned to Cardoso, who had been hesitant to take long-range shots throughout her career. Staley demanded from the sideline, “Shoot it!” And Cardoso finally listened, delivering her first-ever 3-pointer at the most crucial moment.
“I added a couple more words that I can’t mention,” Staley admitted about her order to Cardoso. But it was clear that she had faith in her player’s abilities. Point guard Raven Johnson echoed this sentiment, saying, “Coach told Kamilla to shoot the ball and Kamilla shoots the ball with confidence.”
The Gamecocks had built a commanding 23-point lead earlier in the game but had allowed the Lady Vols to mount an impressive comeback. With just seconds remaining, Tennessee held a two-point advantage and seemed poised to hand South Carolina their first loss of the season. However, Cardoso’s heroics dashed their hopes and sent shockwaves through the arena.
Cardoso, who had struggled throughout the game, expressed her gratitude towards her teammates for believing in her. “I didn’t have the best game I could have, off all night,” she said. “I was happy I could make the shot and take them to the finals.”
The victory was made even sweeter for Cardoso, as she played in front of her mother and sister, who had traveled from Brazil to celebrate senior day with her. This was their first opportunity to watch her play in person since she left the country at the age of 15.
South Carolina’s win propels them to their ninth tournament final in the past 10 seasons. They will now set their sights on securing their eighth title in that span, facing either No. 8 LSU or Ole Miss.
For Tennessee, it was a heartbreaking loss after giving South Carolina a tough challenge in all three of their meetings this season. The Lady Vols will need time to recover from this disappointment.
The Gamecocks’ head coach, Dawn Staley, credited Aliyah Boston’s mother, Cleone, for her positive influence on the team. Even with her daughter now playing in the WNBA as the rookie of the year, Cleone Boston continues to provide faith-based messages that help the young team stay resilient during difficult moments.
South Carolina’s victory in the SEC Tournament semifinals showcased their ability to overcome adversity and maintain their perfect season. As they move closer to their championship goals, they will undoubtedly draw strength from this thrilling win.