There was just a hint of bittersweet in the air at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday night, as A'ja Wilson played her final game in a Gamecock uniform at home in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
But for the most part, it was just about the perfect sendoff for the senior All-American, as South Carolina (28-6) defeated Virginia, 66-56, to advance to its fifth straight Sweet 16, with Wilson once again leading the way with 25 points and 11 rebounds, her 23rd double-double of the season.
In a game of run countered by run, the first five combined field goal attempts of the game fell for the Cavaliers and Gamecocks, but the rest of the first quarter proved to be an offensive slog as both defenses crowded the paint and the two teams went more than three minutes without scoring a single point.