The South Carolina Gamecocks are on top of the college basketball world for the third time in seven years. One year after seeing their undefeated season end in the Final Four, the Gamecocks avenged their loss to Iowa with a triumph over the Hawkeyes in Sunday’s National Championship Game.
South Carolina overcame an early 11-point deficit to defeat Iowa 87-75. Capping off an undefeated season at 38-0, the Gamecocks became the 10th team in Division I history to run the table. UConn has accomplished the feat six times, while Baylor, Tennessee and Texas have one undefeated season apiece.
Speaking to ESPN’s Holly Rowe following the victory, head coach Dawn Staley was visibly emotional while praising her team.
“They made history. They etched their names in the history books when this is the unlikeliest group to do it.”
“It doesn’t always end like you want it to end, much like last year,” Staley said. “But my [seniors from last season] are at the top of my heart because they wanted this. And I hope we can erase whatever pain they had, last year experiencing not being able to finish it here. It’s awesome. It’s unbelievable.”
Kamilla Cardoso, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds to go along with 15 points. The Gamecocks won the game on the glass — outrebounded Iowa 51-29 — and with their depth. South Carolina’s bench outscored Iowa’s 37-0.
“Kamilla Cardoso was not going to let us lose a game in the NCAA tournament,” Staley said. “She played through an injury, she played like one of the top picks in the WNBA draft and her teammates did something that no teammates have done for anybody who went to the WNBA in our program. They send her off as a national champion. So this is history for us.”
Iowa star Caitlin Clark erupted in the first quarter for 18 points and finished with a game-high 30, but it wasn’t enough to propel the Hawkeyes to victory. Clark’s collegiate career came to an end with a second consecutive loss in the National Championship Game.
“The biggest thing is it’s really hard to win these things,” Clark said. “I think I know that better than most people by now. To be so close twice really hurts.”
