Top seed South Carolina holds off No. 4 Maryland to advance in Birmingham

MiLaysia Fulwiley scored 23 points off the bench and defending champion South Carolina prevailed 71-67 against fourth-seeded Maryland on Friday in the Birmingham Region 2 semifinal of the Women's NCAA Tournament. Chloe Kitts added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the top-seeded Gamecocks, who withstood several fourth-quarter lead changes and survived a scare with only two players scoring more than seven points. South Carolina (33-3) will meet second-seeded Duke, a 47-38 winner against North Carolina in Friday's first game, in Sunday's regional final in Birmingham, Ala. The Gamecocks defeated Duke 81-70 at home on Dec. 5 as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. Fulwiley scored on a drive with 2:22 left for a 61-60 lead. Kitts went 1-for-2 on free throws to extend the lead, then Fulwiley scored in transition for a 64-60 advantage with 1:17 left in regulation. A video review with 35 seconds to play reversed a call and gave South Carolina possession. Kitts then sank two free throws. The Gamecocks went 7-for-8 on free throws in the final 35 seconds. They finished 17-for-21 at the foul line for the game. Kaylene Smikle led Maryland (25-8) with 17 points, while Allie Kubek and Sarah Te-Biasu both had 12 points and Shyanne Sellers posted 10 points. Smikle and Kubek fouled out as the Terrapins were forced to commit infractions in the final minute. It was the fifth-lowest scoring game of the season for Maryland. South Carolina ended up with a 47-34 rebounding advantage to help make up for its 18 turnovers. Both teams shot under 40 percent from the field with four 3-point baskets apiece. Neither team led by more than seven points. South Carolina scored the final six points of the third quarter and then opened the fourth with a free throw for a 7-0 run and a 53-50 lead. After going ahead 60-59 on Saylor Poffenbarger's basket, the Terrapins went two minutes without scoring and dropped into a six-point hole. --Field Level Media