The head coach of the undefeated and top-ranked team in women’s college basketball testified to her faith in God as her players clinched their sixth Final Four during her tenure and continued a historic run. The Gamecocks defeated Oregon State 70-58 in their regional final and will play N.C. State in the national semifinals.

It’s the Gamecocks’ fourth straight Final Four and their sixth in the last nine tournaments. All have come under Dawn Staley, who’s in her 16th season. South Carolina won national titles in 2017 and 2022. Last season, South Carolina lost to Iowa in the semifinals of the Final Four. Staley is the only South Carolina basketball coach, men’s or women’s, to reach 300 victories. On Easter Sunday, Staley credited God several times during post-game interviews, noting that her team faced a “devastating loss” last year but returned to the Final Four yet again.

She told a national TV audience, “If you don’t believe in God, something’s wrong with you. Seriously. I’m a believer because He makes things come true. When you’re at your worst, He’s at His best.” Staley continued her faith-filled testimony when she took questions from the media moments after the television broadcast. She said, “I think God has a funny way of dealing with people. I’m one of His, and for us to lose the way we lost last year, — and for Him to bring us to this point today makes me believe a little bit deeper. I don’t want to ever not give God the glory for giving us uncommon favor.”

The Gamecocks coach said she also praises God following losses. She said, “You just don’t celebrate [after] the victories. Last year, I thanked God for even the loss because I don’t want to be one-sided, you know, and to give Him the glory when it is only befitting for wins. Easter is as significant as any other day. He is risen.” Staley has been open about her Christian faith during her career.

After her team won the 2022 national championship, she told a national TV audience, “I have to give glory to God, glory to God. I think people don’t really understand that our path was divinely ordered.”