Congrats to Coach Dawn Staley and her team!

The No. 25-ranked ladies bounced back from Thursday’s loss to No. 18 Georgia and defeated Alabama 69-55 in Tuscaloosa this afternoon, earning their 20th victory of the season.

They also notched their ninth SEC win, meaning they’ll have a winning record in the conference for the first time since the 2002-2003 season.

South Carolina (20-7, 9-5) went on a 21-6 run during the first half and took a 12 point lead to the locker room at the half. They couldn’t quite match that crispness in the second half, but they did enough to come away with the win on the Tide’s Senior Day. Bama didn’t give up and attempted to come from behind late in the game, but the Gamecocks were able to hold them off.

La’Keisha Sutton led USC with 13 points and seven rebounds. Markeshia Grant and Ieasia Walker were also in double figures. Jasmine Robinson led Bama with 17 points. The Crimson Tide were only 19-69 on field goals, while Carolina went 25-45. The Gamecocks led by as much as 18, Alabama led by as much as…1 point, and that was with just over 14 minutes left in the first half.

Staley is undefeated against Alabama in her career and continues to improve her overall record at South Carolina. That being said, and seeing how the women’s team has struggled the past few seasons, it’s awesome to now see them having such success this year. They’ve clearly dedicated themselves to working hard and doing their best day in and day out, and it shows.

Despite all the good news, there’s some not-so-good news, too. Freshman Aleighsa Welch went down with a knee injury in the second half and did not return to the game. USC’s Dr. Jeffery Guy indicated it was a sprain, but she’ll be reevaluated in Columbia. Hopefully it’s not too serious and she’ll be able to return to action at some point this season.

The next game is Thursday at No. 7 Kentucky. Tip off is set for 7 ET.