The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship saw the South Carolina Gamecocks emerge victorious, defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes with a final score of 87-751. This win secured Coach Dawn Staley and her team their third NCAA title, capping off a perfect season for the Gamecocks. The Hawkeyes had a strong start, fueled by star player Caitlin Clark, who scored 18 points in the first quarter, setting a new record for the most points scored in a single quarter of an NCAA tournament game1.
However, South Carolina’s teamwork prevailed. Freshman Tessa Johnson led the scoring with 19 points, while senior Kamilla Cardoso, who earned MVP honors, contributed 15 points and 17 rebounds despite a recent knee injury. Defensive efforts from Bree Hall and Raven Johnson helped slow down Clark’s momentum. For Coach Staley, this victory was redemption after last year’s semifinal loss to Iowa. She emotionally expressed her pride in the team’s unselfish play and their desire for this championship.