Freshman Tessa Johnson gives Dawn Staley, South Carolina women's basketball another option

GREENVILLE – Tessa Johnson’s reaction to her first career block wasn’t as celebratory as her teammates wanted, but the freshman guard was on a mission.

Johnson’s block came during a stretch of seven second-quarter points, which brought a new spark of energy for South Carolina women's basketball in a 79-68 win over Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals on Friday at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.

“It was like there’s three quarters in the season, and I know I had to lock in this quarter,” Johnson said. “They were talking about the difference between regular season and postseason. I could feel the difference on the court, but my mindset is just lock in, trust my team.”

No. 1 seeded South Carolina (30-0) will play No. 5 seeded Tennessee (19-11) on Saturday (4:30 p.m., ESPNU) with the winner advancing to the championship game Sunday.

Johnson became the latest member of the team to answer the call when the Gamecocks needed a boost, scoring 13 points. South Carolina committed a season-high 24 turnovers against the No. 9-seed Aggies (19-12).

FOLLOW THE MADNESS: NCAA women's basketball scores, schedules, teams and more.

On a roster full of star guards like All-SEC second team selections Raven Johnson and Te-Hina Paopao, Johnson hasn’t always earned consistent playing time. Even among the freshmen, Johnson has fallen behind MiLaysia Fulwiley for much of the season.

After staying patient throughout the season, Johnson earned a chance to star in her first postseason game. She scored seven points in the second quarter, all coming amid a vital stretch where Texas A&M had grabbed the lead.

After blocking the shot, Johnson got open on offense to put the Gamecocks up eight points. The lead would stay at least large the rest of the game.

“I was just playing the game,” Johnson said. “My teammates did what they had to do. The ball found me, I just shot it.”

To those around Johnson in practices and off the court, her performance Friday didn’t come as a surprise. Fulwiley said the second group, including Johnson and herself, change the energy in practice every week, and against Texas A&M was a chance for Johnson to show everyone what she’s capable of.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said she wasn’t surprised with Johnson’s poise and confidence, while Paopao praised her for staying patient during the season.

“I’m so proud of her,” Paopao said. “Just seeing her blossom on and off the court. I knew her time was coming. She was being patient, and that’s what happens when you’re being patient.”

Johnson’s confidence on defense has grown consistently since she arrived in Columbia, especially on defense, Staley said. As they’ve emphasized that side of the ball more, Staley said Johnson has done a better job of getting into position during games.

That’s what led Johnson to getting her first career block. After Texas A&M got a steal, Johnson worked back on transition to get in front of Solè Williams before contesting the shot with perfect timing.

Her offense, as Staley said, has been predictable. She’s been able to score at the college level, averaging 5.6 points per game, and Staley said has done it on all three levels – going to the rim, pulling up for two and shooting from beyond the arc.

HOW 29-0 HAPPENED:Why Dawn Staley is surprised at South Carolina women's basketball's perfect regular season

Johnson is shooting 46% both from the floor and from 3-point range, and exactly half of both her made baskets and her shots have been 3-pointers.

With her performance Friday, Johnson showed she can provide an added piece of depth that will boost the Gamecocks’ already-deep talent pool in March. It could be those bench pieces proving the difference.

“Now that were in the postseason, some of the novelty of our starting lineup will wear off,” Staley said. “But the novelty of her, being able to give us the kind of minutes that she gave us today, she’s primed to have a good postseason.”