The South Carolina Gamecocks claimed victory in the NCAA women’s championship game by defeating Iowa with a score of 87-75. The win marked the end of Caitlin Clark’s career at Iowa, who had previously broken the all-time NCAA Division I scoring record held by Pete Maravich. South Carolina’s undefeated season of 37-0 made them the first team since UConn in 2016 to achieve this feat, securing their second national championship in three years and their third overall in school history.
Despite losing all five starters from the previous season’s team that was defeated by Clark’s squad in the national semifinals, the Gamecocks, led by head coach Dawn Staley, managed to navigate through the season without a single loss. Staley commended Iowa and Caitlin Clark for their performance in the championship game and acknowledged Clark’s significant impact on women’s basketball. Clark, in turn, expressed her respect for Staley and her appreciation for being recognized by such a legendary figure in the sport.
Clark’s impressive final performance included scoring 30 points, 18 of which came in the first quarter to set a championship-record. Though she fell short of securing a championship for Iowa, Clark’s influence on the game extends beyond the court, with her ability to excite fans and inspire young players. Iowa coach Lisa Bluder praised Clark for her talents and character, underscoring the positive impact she has had on women’s basketball.
Following their victory, South Carolina received congratulatory messages from President Biden and Vice President Harris, commending the team for their hard work and dedication throughout the season. With three national championships in the last eight years, the Gamecocks have established themselves as a dominant force in women’s basketball under Staley’s leadership. The team’s success has solidified their status as the latest dynasty in the sport, with Staley joining a select group of coaches who have won three national titles.
Looking ahead, South Carolina appears to be in a strong position to continue their winning streak, with most of the team expected to return next season. Despite the departure of star center Kamilla Cardoso, the Gamecocks have demonstrated resilience and determination in past games, always finding a way to secure victory. With players like Tessa Johnson stepping up with a team-leading 19 points in the championship game, South Carolina’s future looks promising as they strive to maintain their dominance in women’s college basketball.
