PHOENIX — The ending didn’t match the journey for Raven Johnson and her time at South Carolina. But maybe that’s what made it real.
The senior’s career in Columbia was defined by resilience, joy, and quiet toughness. On a difficult afternoon in the national championship game, the final chapter arrived without the storybook finish but left behind something more lasting than a perfect ending.
“I’m super proud of this team, even with the outcome that we had today,” Johnson said in the aftermath of South Carolina’s 79-51 setback to UCLA in the national championship game to reporters. “You know, it’s not the outcome that we wanted, but I’m very I’m proud of this team. A lot of people didn’t even think we were going to make it to the championship game, and we dug deep, and we made it here.”
She smiled as she said it, her demeanor still upbeat even in the aftermath after helping South Carolina to its sixth straight Final Four appearance and third consecutive national championship game.
The end for Johnson came at 2:35 p.m. local time, when she was lifted from the game for the final time after making a free throw with 5 minutes, 18 seconds remaining. She handed a towel to a staff member, walked down the bench, slapped hands with each of her teammates and supports staff, then sat down, sipping water and occasionally glancing up at the scoreboard.
Like others, she seemed suspended between disbelief and acceptance regarding the score.
Even South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was stunned. As a timeout ended, Staley crossed her arms, aware that none of what she’d been instructing was translating, and shrugged her shoulders slightly in resignation — after all, UCLA led by an unfathomable 35 points at one point late in the game.
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Yet, one tough 40-minute loss before a sellout crowd of 15,856 at Mortgage Matchup Arena will never define Johnson or South Carolina, which finished with 36 victories this year.
“We just didn’t have it today,” Staley said. “We tried, but we just didn’t have it today. They were the better team today. Congratulations to them. Sometimes you’re part of women’s basketball history. It’s not favorable to you. You could see if you’re going to lose to a team, like UCLA, you want to lose to a team that just really out-works you, out-executed you, make it very difficult for you to perform at a high level. It was a direct reflection of what they did to us.”
In ending the season on a 31-game winning streak, UCLA placed five players in double figures, led by Gabriela Jaquez’s 21 points and 10 rebounds. Most Outstanding Player Lauren Betts added 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Bruins controlled the game for the final three quarters, building a lead that only grew with time.
For South Carolina, Tessa Johnson had a team-high 14 points and freshman Agot Makeer added 11. It was Makeer’s fifth consecutive double digit scoring game of the postseason. Makeer sat quietly afterward, red-eyed and speaking in hushed tones, the kind of silence that only shows up when a season ends without the ultimate reward.
“I want them to feel the hurt,” Raven Johnson said. “We got whooped, not beat. We got whooped. I want them to feel how we got whooped today, and motivation to just get back here, honestly, and to come back to the championship and try to win it. But I’m not going to be here. … Coach is going to get them ready. The younger players know they have to get in the gym, get better, and get ready for next year.”
All weekend, Johnson’s emotional connection to Staley was on display. On instinct, Johnson was handing her coach black water cups during the press conferences all weekend. It was little moments like that which have tethered Johnson and Staley and prompted laughter from teammates Ta’Niya Latson and Tessa Johnson.
Johnson always knew how to lighten the team’s vibes during her career.
“She makes me laugh even in the most difficult situations ’cause she’s so innocent,” Staley said Saturday to reporters. “Like, she really is a really kindhearted young lady.”
Johnson has experienced so much in her college career — and under the bright spotlight of some major matchups, Johnson has been simultaneously scrutinized and saluted. Losing to Iowa in the 2023 Final Four hurt her so much that it made her think about quitting the sport she loved. But she has leaned on her faith, resilience and a circle that includes coaches, teammates and family to ground her and keep her going.
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And make no mistake, Johnson’s list of accomplishments is longer than a CVS store receipt.
This past season, Johnson earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press and was named to the WBCA team in addition to receiving honorable mention nods from USA Today and the USBWA. She was named the Sacramento 4 Regional Most Outstanding Player, SEC Defensive Player of the Year and an All-SEC Second Team selection.
She’s one of the few in college basketball to reach five straight Final Fours. Though she leaves Columbia with two championship rings, her impact, leadership and radiant smile will last as she enters her next chapter.
Proof of Johnson’s impact was this simple: South Carolina was 145-9 (.945) with her in the lineup, including a 49-6 mark (.907) against ranked teams and a 20-3 slate in the NCAA Tournament.
Johnson finished her career with 1,033 points, 612 assists, and 232 steals. But her value went far beyond individual accolades. She was the fuel that powered South Carolina.
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Opponents also respect Johnson. As the saying goes, game recognizes game. UCLA’s Lauren Betts captured Johnson’s competitive spirit succinctly.
“She’s one of my friends,” Betts said to reporters. “She’s a great basketball player and a great person. She’s such a leader, and you could hear her talking to her teammates the entire game, regardless of the score. She was like, ‘Keep fighting, keep working.’ I have mad respect for her because I know that’s hard to do in your last game … She set a really high standard at South Carolina, and I know she’s going to do amazing things in the W, so I’m excited to continue to watch her. She’s just elite.”
She endured criticism but never let it define her, rising above adversity and proving her greatness through effort and tenacity.
Johnson finished 20-3 in the NCAA tournament over the last four seasons, with 23 games, the most played by a Gamecock. She holds program records for assists (72) and steals (38) in career NCAA Tournament games. Entering the championship game, Johnson was second nationally in defensive impact per Syngery, helping the Gamecocks allow an SEC-best 10.9 points per 100 possessions. When she is on the court, ranked opponents score 0.756 points per possession, compared to 0.812 when she is on the bench.
“It hasn’t hit me,” she said. “I should be up here crying. Sometimes everything’s not for you. I think we all came out, we fought, we did what we had to do. But UCLA, you know, they were more ready than us.”
Trailing 36-23 at halftime, South Carolina struggled to find its shot in the first half, finishing 9-for-35 — the team’s worst field goal percentage in any half since December 2022. Only Tessa Johnson found a rhythm, hitting 4 of 6 shots for 10 points. UCLA closed the third quarter with a 13-2 run to take a 61-32 lead into the fourth.
“Losing in the national championship game the way we lost, I guess that will be the thing that really drives us,” Staley said to reporters. “You need something to drive you throughout the really hard times and the challenging times, and also the good times.”
Johnson enjoyed plenty of great times in the burgundy and black. In many ways, she serves as a bridge — linking the past, present, and future of South Carolina basketball. She graduated last May with a degree in services management.
Beyond trophies and talent, it’s Johnson’s openness that lingers. She let others see her doubts, fears, laughter, and quiet strength — moments that signaled her growth. She hasn’t just evolved as a player; she’s become someone others recognize themselves in.
Her journey is familiar, not distant or untouchable. In her setbacks, people find themselves. Through her resilience, all can borrow courage. With her rise, you’re reminded that your story, with its challenges and small triumphs, is still unfolding.
“Oh my gosh,” Johnson said. “I went through so much throughout my college career. I don’t think I would be the person I am today without going through that. I’m so glad I chose the University of South Carolina and the opportunity to play under Coach Staley. I mean, she has just made me a better human being, a better version of myself. And I think you know, I’m ready for whatever comes at the next level or in life.”
The IX Sports’ Howard Megdal contributed reporting.
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