A South Carolina death row inmate on Friday chose execution by firing squad, just five weeks after the state carried out its first death by bullets.

The journey has been more challenging than usual, but Dawn Staley and defending national champion South Carolina are still getting the job done.

Defending national champion South Carolina left no doubt it would return to the title game, getting 14 points from Te-Hina Paopao and overwhelming Texas 74-57 in the Final Four of the women’s NCAA Tournament.

South Carolina has advanced to the national championship game once again after defeating Texas 74-57 in the Final Four. The Gamecocks are now one win away from their second straight national title and third in the past four seasons.

Dawn Staley and South Carolina are one win away from joining an elite group of programs in women's basketball history with a third national championship in four seasons.

No. 1 South Carolina and Dawn Staley face No. 1 Texas in the Final Four of March Madness. Follow along for live score updates

UConn women's basketball takes on South Carolina in Sunday's national championship, here's what you need to know about the 2022 title game rematch.

Strong went on to play for Geno Auriemma's UConn Huskies. Edwards went with Dawn Staley's South Carolina Gamecocks. The two rising stars will meet again on Sunday, when No. 2 seed UConn faces top-seeded South Carolina in the national championship game in Tampa, Florida.

When UConn (36-3) and South Carolina (35-3) met on February 16, you got the sense these perennial powers would meet again in the NCAA Tournament. It is a treat for all basketball fans that when they step on the court Sunday afternoon it will be for the national championship.