South Carolina defeats Iowa 87-75 to win NCAA women’s championship

Dawn Staley and South Carolina Gamecocks completed their perfect season, defeating Iowa with an 87-75 win in the NCAA championship game Sunday.

South Carolina Gamecocks beats Iowa in national championship

This victory not only ended Caitlin Clark’s remarkable collegiate career but also earned South Carolina’s status as one of the ten Division I teams to ever finish a season undefeated. Remarkably, they accomplished this feat with a completely new lineup, as none of last year’s starters, who experienced a defeat against Iowa in the 2023 national semifinals, were present.

Iowa standout

Caitlin Clark, the standout senior from Iowa, put up a noble fight in her final college appearance, aiming to secure the Hawkeyes’ first championship title but ultimately came up short.

In her usual fashion, Clark scored 30 points in the game, breaking the championship record by scoring 18 of those in the first quarter alone. Her talent is unmatched and like Staley said, her legacy is forever cemented as one of the NCAA’S all-time greatest players.

Staley and South Carolina Gamecocks make history

The Gamecocks are now a three time national champion within just eight years, with the last two coming in the past three seasons.

Coach Staley’s impressive coaching prowess has rightfully earned her a spot with legendary coaches like Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey, and Tara VanDerveer, who have all secured at least three national championships.

Congratulations!