Dawn Staley makes her feelings known after USC vs UConn

South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley couldn't hold back after witnessing USC and UConn go toe-to-toe on Saturday. The much-awaited game had the No. 7 Trojans hold off a second-half surge by the No. 4 Huskies to defeat them by two, 72-70.

After the intense affair, the defending national champion coach reacted to the game on X. The matchup saw two of the strongest programs lock horns along with two of college basketball's brightest in Paige Bueckers and JuJu Watkins.

"Say it along with me…..THANK YOU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL!!!" Staley posted.

As one of the premier tacticians of modern-day college basketball, a lot of what Staley says publicly holds significant weight, especially when it comes to the growth of the women's game.

Staley has her own stars on a stacked Gamecocks team aiming to return to the national title mountaintop. Senior guard Te-Hina Paopao and first-year swingman Joyce Edwards are just two of the standouts on Staley's squad this campaign.

The Gamecocks (11-1) face the Wofford Terriers on Sunday on their home floor, the Colonial Life Arena.

The stars were in full effect during USC versus UConn

In the end, both Watkins and Bueckers put on a show similar to their Elite Eight showdown earlier this year. The USC sophomore posted 25 points, six rebounds, five assists and three blocks, while the UConn senior had 22 markers, three boards and two dimes.

Their co-stars were also integral in producing a must-watch matchup as Huskies freshman Sarah Strong dropped a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds to go with five assists and four steals. Watkins' running mate on the frontcourt, Kiki Iriafen, also had a strong showing with 16 markers, 11 caroms and six assists.

The stars will be back in action after the holiday break, with USC taking on the Michigan Wolverines on Sunday, while UConn will look to return to the win column against the Providence Friars on the same day.