South Carolina Gamecocks Won the 2024 Women's NCAA Basketball Championship Game

South Carolina won the 2024 Women's NCAA basketball championship game, defeating Iowa 87-75. Iowa and South Carolina battled for a spot in the 2023 NCAA finals. Iowa defeated South Carolina and advanced to last year's championships, but was defeated by LSU in the finals. Caitlin Clark was looking to end her college career with a championship. 

Dawn Staley led her team to a flawless season this year, with a stellar lineup, including Te-Hina Paopao, Kamilla Cardoso, Raven Johnson, Chole Kitts, Ashlyn Watkins, and freshmen MiLaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson. Staley attributed the win to divine intervention, stating, "My freshies are at the top of my heart because they wanted this." She continued, "This is uncommon favor!" This victory marks Staley's third NCAA championship win. This year, she won the AP Coach of the Year. Dawn joins Kim Mulkey, Pat Summitt, and Geno Auriemma as coaches who have won at least three NCAA championships. 

Staley acknowledged Caitlin Clark's contribution to women's basketball, calling her "One of the goats of our game!" Coach Staley said now that the season is over, she's going to Disney Land!

The Gamecocks will lose their 6'7" center, Kamilla Cardoso, to the WNBA draft. Iowa will also lose four seniors: Caitlin Clark, Molly Davis, Gabbie Marshall, and Kate Martin. However, sophomore Hannah Stuelke, who made significant contributions all season, especially during the final four and tonight's game, will return to Iowa next year. 

Iowa would have made history by winning the school's first NCAA women's championship. Caitlin Clark finished her final college game tonight with 30 points. 

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