South Carolina coach Dawn Staley sat down to watch a second-round matchup between Alabama and Maryland on Monday, knowing that her team would face the victor in the Sweet 16. She was prepared to face either one, but she admits that she had a bias toward the Crimson Tide.

Alabama kept pouring it on to open the second half, finding a 14-3 run in the middle of the third quarter to take a nine-point lead into the final frame. Maryland never rolled over for the Crimson Tide tying the game from the free throw line with one minute remaining.

See photos of the Maryland women’s basketball team playing Alabama in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on March 24, 2025.