\n
![](\"https:\/\/media.swncdn.com\/via\/images\/2024\/04\/01\/35160\/35160-gettyimages-2128220895_source_file.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
The head coach of the top-ranked and undefeated team in women\u2019s college basketball on Sunday testified to her faith in God as her players clinched their sixth Final Four during her tenure and continued a historic run.<\/p>\n
The Gamecocks (36-0) defeated Oregon State 70-58 in their regional final and will play N.C. State (31-6) on Friday in the national semifinals. It is the Gamecocks\u2019 fourth straight Final Four and their sixth in the last nine tournaments. All have come under Staley, who is in her 16th season. South Carolina won national titles in 2022 and 2017.<\/p>\n
Last season, South Carolina lost to Iowa in the semifinals of the Final Four.<\/p>\n
Staley is the only South Carolina basketball coach \u2013 men\u2019s or women\u2019s \u2013 to reach 300 victories.<\/p>\n
On Easter Sunday, a joy-filled Staley credited God multiple times during post-game interviews, noting that her team faced a \u201cdevastating loss\u201d last year but returned to the Final Four once more.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIf you don\u2019t believe in God , something\u2019s wrong with you. When you\u2019re at your worst, He\u2019s at His best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 @GamecockWBB<\/a> coach @dawnstaley<\/a> after beating Oregon State to reach the Final Four pic.twitter.com\/pI2iDKUvvG<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) March 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\u201cIf you don\u2019t believe in God, something\u2019s wrong with you,\u201d she told a national TV audience.\u201d Seriously. I\u2019m a Believer, because He makes things come true. When you\u2019re at your worst, He\u2019s at His best.\u201d<\/p>\n
Staley continued her faith-filled testimony when she took questions from the media moments after the television broadcast.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think God has a funny way of dealing with people. I’m one of His,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd for us to lose the way we lost last year — and for Him to bring us to this point today makes me believe a little bit deeper. … I don’t want to ever not give God the glory for giving us uncommon favor.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Gamecocks coach said she also praises God following losses.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou just don\u2019t celebrate [after] the victories,\u201d she said. \u201cLast year, I thanked God for even the loss because I don’t want to be one-sided, you know, and to give Him the glory when it is only befitting for wins. Easter is as significant as any other day… He is risen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nDawn Staley said she was happy to win on Easter Sunday, but also didn’t want to only give God “glory” for “the wins.”<\/p>\n
She later added, “He is Risen.” pic.twitter.com\/3uCIegjWWz<\/a><\/p>\n