BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Dawn Staley lit into MiLaysia Fulwiley. It was the third quarter of a close game that could've ended South Carolina’s attempt to repeat as national champions and Fulwiley was dying on screens. She was playing behind and giving up easy entry passes with an Elite Eight berth on the line.
If the same situation happened two months ago, Fulwiley “wouldn’t be able to recover,” Staley said. The flashy sophomore guard with the best ability of any Gamecock to manufacture her own shots would have shut down. South Carolina would have gone home early.
“The kitchen gets hot when you’re trying to survive in the NCAA tournament,” Staley said.