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Out of the haze that’s been this weekend, the South Carolina Gamecocks finally emerged as the champions of women’s college basketball. Dawn Staley arrived in Columbia in 2008, slowly built a national power and finally has some hardware to show for it.
Bravo ladies. Bravo.
However in this particular piece we’re not going to get into the praising of the ladies team — because we’re going to let Twitter do it for us. Twitter — somehow still free — has given us good reason to still watch live sports. The live reactions are priceless as the come minute by minute, and you didn’t have to be on Twitter to see it yourself.
We took the best of the best from Sunday night and compiled them here for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!
ESPN hyping up Mississippi State
This was something odd happening during the ESPN pregame presentation. It’s understandable why ESPN would pump up up the “Mississippi State beat UConn” angle, but in the process they completely ignored the fact South Carolina was also in the title game.
Understandably, some fans were pretty irked.
Hey @ESPN, there is another team playing tonight other than Miss State.....#gococks
— Franklin Buchanan (@franklinnb) April 2, 2017
Announcers outchea comparing Mississippi State to the USA hockey team that beat Russia; Y'all silly.
— DC3 (@DC3_TWEETS) April 2, 2017
I gotta find the radio call. The TV crew has been sleeping with Mississippi State apparently
— Kristie (@gamecockgirl71) April 2, 2017
Did y'all know that another team was also playing? @espn
— Nya Simone (@_nyasimone) April 2, 2017
The ESPN-Alaina Coates Feud
This was a weird incident that happened pregame as well. ESPN talking heads, specifically Mechelle Voepel, were critical of Alaina Coates for not being at the game. Well, Alaina didn’t like that so much and took to Twitter for an explanation.
I know I'm supposed to wait until the season is over but this needs to be addressed...I CAN'T TRAVEL BECAUSE THE MEDICAL STAFF SAID SO
— Lay Lay (@Aye_itslaylay) April 2, 2017
This unprofessionalism is ridiculous
— Lay Lay (@Aye_itslaylay) April 2, 2017
First quarter
Mississippi St. 9, South Carolina 8 at the first media timeout. Big foul called on A'Ja Wilson before TO. Dawn wasn't happy.
— Matt Connolly (@MattatTheState) April 2, 2017
Lady G's on a 17-7 run after opening the game down 7-1. Looking confident.
— TRCU @THE FINAL FOUR (@RubrChickens) April 2, 2017
Allisha Gray is the best player on the floor right now. Her 3 point play the hard way gives USC a 21-14 lead. They are on a 7-0 run
— Joe Cook (@JoeCookSports) April 2, 2017
Second quarter
A'ja Wilson just blocked Teaira McCowan's jumper. McCowan is 6-foot-7.
— Carson Mason (@CarsonAnnMason) April 2, 2017
Cuevas-Moore is smothering their waterbug. State looks lost in offense.
— Matthew Symmes (@Coach_Symmes) April 2, 2017
Gamecocks lead 31-18 after once trailing 12-8.
— Ryan Bethea (@RyanUSC) April 2, 2017
Third quarter
It's amazing how last night made me much less confident in 14-point leads in the second half.
— Final4HoopsTeams Fan (@chickenhoops) April 2, 2017
South Carolina led by 14 ... Mississippi State has gone on a 9-0 run since. 14-point leads not safe these days.
— Mike Wilson (@ByMikeWilson) April 2, 2017
I'm pretending all the wrestling tweets are about women's basketball and I agree this is intense.
— Michael Baumann (@MJ_Baumann) April 2, 2017
Fourth Quarter
A'ja should touch the ball every offensive possession. There's literally no excuse for her not touching it every time down the floor.
— David Salley (@dsalley24) April 2, 2017
Wilson with a huge block and a bucket on the other end. 56-50.
— Spurs & Feathers (@SpursFeathers) April 2, 2017
A'ja Wilson has the answer. @GamecockWBB #NationalChampionship #WFinalFour pic.twitter.com/hjVjKfNR1u
— NCAA Women's BKB (@ncaawbb) April 2, 2017
I believe @GamecockWBB coach Dawn Staley is first woman to win an Olympic gold as a player & coach a college team to a national title.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) April 3, 2017
GAMECOCKS WIN GAMECOCKS WIN
#ForEverToThee #NationalChampions @GamecockWBB - Let's raise the flag on the Dome tonight! pic.twitter.com/mNoBn4u27v
— Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) April 3, 2017
am i ugly crying rn?
— katie dzwierzynski (@kdzwierzynski) April 3, 2017
YES
fixed this for y'all #ForeverToThee pic.twitter.com/Q8YqpnP2RH
— joey lopes (@joeylopes13) April 3, 2017
South Carolina students celebrate #nationalchampionship #Gamecocks pic.twitter.com/XDcWBVqHtH
— Ryan Bethea (@RyanUSC) April 3, 2017
Let’s all talk about how amazing Aj’a Wilson is
A'ja Wilson named Most Outstanding Player of Final Four.
— GoGamecocks.com (@gogamecocks) April 3, 2017
A'ja Wilson had 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks. She had 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks in the fourth quarter.
— GC Game Updates (@GCgameday) April 3, 2017
A'Ja Wilson promised a national championship on the day she signed with the Gamecocks, and she delivered. pic.twitter.com/drViMHE4sO
— Sara Jane Harris (@SaraJaneHarris) April 3, 2017
A home grown girl ... Aja Wilson ... has led the Gamecocks to a National Title. Home grown Sindarius Thornwell led men to to Final Four.
— William Gunter (@WilGunter) April 3, 2017
A'ja Wilson is a different breed
— Xavier Thomas 1️⃣9️⃣ (@atxlete) April 3, 2017
I swear Aja is the female Tim Duncan!!
— sindarius thornwell (@Sin_City_803) April 3, 2017
Famous people and Gamecock athletes weigh in
So awesome. History!!! @GamecockWBB @dawnstaley @_ajawilson22 Forever legendary!!
— Dylan Thompson (@DylanPThompson) April 3, 2017
CHAMPIONS! @gamecockwbb
— Jackie Bradley Jr. (@JackieBradleyJr) April 3, 2017
Amazing season women! pic.twitter.com/Tl4EmpPoyi
My Gamecock Divas may have solidified my uniform color for this year! #GarnetAndBlack it is!!! ✊
— Natasha Hastings (@natashahastings) April 3, 2017
yeaaaaaaa south Carolina
— Melvin Ingram (@MelvinIngram) April 3, 2017
Got to be intense to win! Go @GamecockWBB. #wfinalfour #forevertothee pic.twitter.com/bcn0EYMEr6
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) April 2, 2017