Kamilla Cardoso Overcomes Injury Fright to Score Big in Final Four

South Carolina star center Kamilla Cardoso left the Gamecocks’ 78-59 victory over North Carolina State in the women’s Final Four on Friday night due to a right leg injury.

The scare did little to slow Cardoso down. The 6-foot-7 athlete dominated down low, scoring 22 points and 11 rebounds in 23 minutes to lead the unbeaten Gamecocks to their second national title game in three years.

South Carolina will face either Caitlin Clark and Iowa or Paige Bueckers and UConn on Sunday, and Cardoso’s health may be an issue. Cardoso scored 12 consecutive points in the second quarter and was driving to the basket late in the half when she fell to the floor. She stood up and limped down the floor before committing a foul at the other end with 1:39 remaining. She was succeeded by Ashlyn Watkins.

Cardoso returned to the training room to be evaluated. She returned at the start of the second half, having changed a white sleeve on her right leg to a black one. South Carolina took off in the third quarter, with Cardoso back on the court. The Gamecocks outscored the Wolfpack 29-6 during the session.

Cardoso’s final field goal, a layup with 2:35 left in the third, gave South Carolina a 19-point lead. She went to the bench with 1:57 left in the period and watched the last quarter from the sideline, with the game comfortably in control.

The Brazilian sprinted off the court immediately after the final buzzer, waving to the audience.