Kamilla Cardoso buzzer beater South Carolina women's basketball Tennessee 74-73

Kamilla Cardoso's buzzer-beater 3-pointer leads South Carolina to victory over Tennessee in SEC Tournament semifinals, thrilling the crowd.

On a thrilling Saturday evening in Greenville, Kamilla Cardoso emerged as the hero for South Carolina women's basketball. In a heart-stopping moment, the senior center banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer to secure a 74-73 victory over Tennessee in the SEC Tournament semifinals at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

The No. 5 Lady Vols fought back against the undefeated No. 1 Gamecocks, eventually taking their first lead of the game with just 24.5 seconds left off a layup from star forward Rickea Jackson. However, with only 1.1 seconds remaining, Cardoso made a game-winning shot from beyond the arc, sending the crowd into a frenzy. This remarkable basket marked her first career 3-point field goal.

South Carolina will now advance to the SEC Tournament championship game, where they will face the winner of the LSU and Ole Miss matchup on Sunday at 3 p.m. on ESPN in Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

After a slow offensive start the previous day, the Gamecocks entered Saturday's game with renewed determination. They dominated early on, outscoring Tennessee 13-0 and showcasing impressive rebounding skills. By the end of the first quarter, South Carolina had built a substantial lead, outrebounding the Lady Vols 20-7 and heading into the second quarter with a 19-6 advantage.

Despite the Gamecocks' strong start, Tennessee staged a remarkable comeback, erasing a 23-point deficit and ultimately taking the lead late in the game. Jackson was instrumental in this turnaround, scoring 19 points in the second half after a quiet start. The Lady Vols shot an impressive 57% from the field and made crucial 3-pointers to claw their way back into the game.

One key factor in South Carolina's early dominance was their prowess on the boards. The Gamecocks controlled the rebounding battle in the first half, finishing with a 27-15 advantage over the Lady Vols. Although Tennessee managed to narrow the gap in the second half, the Gamecocks' aggressive rebounding and ability to convert second-chance opportunities into points were crucial in maintaining their lead.

In a thrilling and hard-fought contest, Kamilla Cardoso's last-second heroics secured a dramatic victory for South Carolina, highlighting the team's resilience and determination in the face of adversity. The Gamecocks' performance on both ends of the court, particularly their dominance on the glass, played a significant role in securing their spot in the SEC Tournament championship game.