The South Carolina Lady Gamecocks finished the season incredibly undefeated with an 87-75 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes, becoming the women’s basketball national champions once again.
The Siamcocks lost to Iowa in last year’s Final Four, but they got revenge this time, overcoming an early deficit and ending the debate over which team is the best in the nation this season.
This is the Gamecocks’ third women’s basketball national championship, all under head coach Dawn Staley. The first was a win over Mississippi State in 2017, and the most recent was a win over UW two seasons ago.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Camila Cardoso of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the second half of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament national championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 7, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. player. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)
Chloe Kitts #21 and Camila Cardoso #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks catch a loose ball during the first half during the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 7, 2024. #45 Hannah Stuelke of the Iowa Hawkeyes is attracting attention. Cleveland, Ohio. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
For Iowa State, this is the second consecutive year they have a chance to win the school’s first women’s basketball national championship. However, despite Caitlin Clark scoring 30 points, they once again fell short.
But this time felt different. Iowa State got off to a hot start with a 10-0 run, and once the game started, South Carolina’s Camila Cardoso made the first shot to give the Siamcocks the victory.
Iowa’s Gabby Marshall deletes social media before NCAA title game due to ‘hate comments’
Clark was firing on all cylinders in the first game, scoring 18 points on 5 of 8 shots, including 3 of 4 from deep, leading to a 27-20 quarter victory.
But if you’ve watched the Shamcocks all season, you’ll know they have a knack for keeping going. South Carolina stormed back in the second quarter, winning 29-19 and leading 49-46 at halftime.
A lot of that had to do with Cardoso, a 6-foot-7 center who had 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. South Carolina defeated Iowa 51-29, helping the Gamecocks outscore the game 48-32 in the paint. Chloe Kitts also had a double-double with 10 rebounds and 11 points.
Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes reacts during the second half of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament national championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 7, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. player. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)
No. 22 Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes hits the field during the first half of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 7, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Manipulates the ball around No. 25 Raven Johnson. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)
Iowa never gave up and knew they could make runs of their own, especially with Clark’s ability to drain the three-ball. But after his 18-point quarter, the Gamecocks were able to slow Clark down.
She was 5 of 20 after the first quarter and 10 of 28, including 5 of 13 from 3-point range. Clark also had eight rebounds and five assists. South Carolina’s Raven Johnson was turned into Clark’s primary defender after the first quarter, and the move proved to be for the best.
The other big story in this game was Gamecocks freshman Tessa Johnson, who had the best game of her young career at just the right time. Coming off the bench, Johnson scored a team-high 19 points, making 7 of 11 shots, including 3 of 6 from 3-point land.
Iowa had zero points off its bench, while the Gamecocks scored 37 points.
The Shamcocks are back on top and with freshmen like Johnson and Milesia Fulwilly, their future remains bright.
Bree of the South Carolina Gamecocks reacts during the second half of the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament national championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 7, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. Hall #23. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Meanwhile, Clark will head into the WNBA draft after having one of the best collegiate careers in any sport.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcastplease subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
