Latest local news, weather and high school sports from the Midlands

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina coach Dawn Staley hopes her team can accomplish even bigger things after its milestone win over No. 8 Tennessee this week.

The Gamecocks had lost 40 consecutive games to the Vols, a streak that started 32 years ago when Staley was in grade school. That ended Thursday night when South Carolina posted a 64-60 victory.

Staley said she received countless texts of congratulations from friends, fans and former Gamecocks players who wondered if this moment would ever happen. Staley stayed up until 2 a.m. answering them all and promising that the landmarks won't stop with this.

South Carolina (18-5, 7-3 Southeastern Conference) looks as if its closing in on another accomplishment: its first NCAA tournament appearance in nine years.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)