The South Carolina Lady Gamecocks clinched the women’s basketball national championship with an 87-75 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes, completing a perfect undefeated season. This marks the third national championship under head coach Dawn Staley, with previous wins in 2017 and two seasons ago. Despite a loss to Iowa in the Final Four last year, the Gamecocks got their revenge this time, solidifying their status as the best team in the country this season.
For Iowa, it was their second consecutive opportunity to secure the school’s first women’s basketball national championship. Led by Caitlin Clark’s impressive 30-point performance, the Hawkeyes fell short once again. Iowa started the game with a dominant 10-0 run, with Clark scoring 18 points in the first quarter. However, South Carolina’s resilience and strong rebounding helped them take control of the game, ultimately out-rebounding Iowa 51-29 and dominating in the paint with 48 points to Iowa’s 32.
Despite Iowa’s efforts to make a comeback, the Gamecocks were able to contain Clark after her strong first quarter performance. South Carolina’s Raven Johnson stepped up as Clark’s primary defender, limiting her effectiveness for the rest of the game. Gamecocks freshman Tessa Johnson also had a standout performance off the bench, scoring 19 points and contributing to the team’s depth and success. While Iowa struggled to get production from their bench players, the Gamecocks capitalized on their depth with 37 bench points compared to Iowa’s zero.
The Gamecocks’ victory solidifies their return to the top of women’s college basketball, with promising freshmen like Johnson and Milaysia Fulwiley adding to the team’s bright future. Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark, who has had an exceptional collegiate career, will be heading to the WNBA Draft to continue her basketball journey at the professional level. Overall, the Gamecocks’ impressive season and national championship win against Iowa highlight their dominance and resilience as a team.
As the Gamecocks celebrate their national championship victory, fans can look forward to the team’s continued success in the future with a talented roster and experienced coaching staff. Iowa, on the other hand, will regroup and aim to build on their strong performances in consecutive championship games. The intensity and competitiveness of the women’s basketball national championship game between South Carolina and Iowa showcased the skill and determination of both teams, with the Gamecocks ultimately emerging as the deserving champions of the 2022 season.
