Milaysia Fulwiley Responds To Tongue-lashing By Coach And Leads South Carolina Into The Elite Eight

Dawn Staley has seen a lot of growth in South Carolina star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley over the last few months.

The Gamecocks coach wasn't happy with the way the sophomore was playing on either end of the court on Friday, so she lit into her in the third quarter. In the past, Staley knows Fulwiley couldn't have handled the criticism.

This time, she listened to her coach and elevated her game. Fulwiley scored 16 of her 23 points in the second half, including a couple of dazzling plays to help the top-seeded Gamecocks beat fourth-seeded Maryland 71-67 in the Sweet 16 of the women's NCAA Tournament.

Staley said earlier this season, Fulwiley "wouldn't have been able to recover from" the harsh words.

"She'd shut down. Probably have lost the game. She was the one who really could manufacture her own shots. Make baskets. She just wants to win. I think in those moments I can coach her the most," Staley said.