South Carolina Clinches Fifth Straight SEC Title

No. 3-ranked South Carolina secured its fifth consecutive Southeastern Conference regular-season championship with an 85-48 victory over No. 17 Ole Miss on Sunday at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks, now 27-2 overall and 13-1 in conference play, dominated the second and third quarters to pull away after a competitive start, ensuring at least a share of the title with two games remaining against Missouri and Kentucky.

The win marked South Carolina's 21st straight victory over the Rebels, dating back to February 2009, and guaranteed the Gamecocks the top seed in next month's SEC Tournament in Greenville. Coach Dawn Staley's team has now claimed 10 regular-season league titles since she took over the program in 2008, building on a legacy of consistent excellence. Four-time WNBA MVP Aja Wilson, a former Gamecock star, attended the game, adding to the celebratory atmosphere as ESPN's College GameDay broadcast from the arena.

South Carolina jumped out to a 20-16 lead after the first quarter, thanks to balanced scoring and strong defense that forced six turnovers from Ole Miss. The Gamecocks then outscored the Rebels 46-18 over the middle quarters,...