Unbeaten and undisputed: #Gamecocks claim third National Title with 87-75 victory over Iowa (AUDIO)

**Tessa Johnson (19 points) and the USC bench outscored Iowa’s bench 37-0 (Gamecock Athletics)**

South Carolina took care of a lot of business with its 87-75 victory over Iowa in Cleveland, Oh., Sunday. Complete the first undefeated season in program history and claim a third national title … Check. Avenge last season’s semifinal loss to Caitlin Clark and Iowa … Done. Leave no doubt that South Carolina is the preeminent program and standard for women’s basketball … Absolutely.

The Gamecocks, winners of 109 of their last 112 games, sit alone atop the mountain of their sport. But for the USC supporters that lived through the growing pains of replacing five starters from a year ago and saw their team need multiple dramatic comebacks to remain undefeated, it was not a smooth ride to 38-0.

After falling short against Iowa in 2023, USC got off on the wrong foot early Sunday. Iowa raced out to a 13-2 lead in the first three minutes, putting the Gamecocks on their heels. Clark scored 18 points in the first quarter, setting an NCAA Championship Game record for points in a period. USC held its composure, however, and stuck to its game plan.

Head coach Dawn Staley switched Raven Johnson onto Clark, a defensive adjustment that paid immediate dividends. Johnson took on the challenge and held Clark to 3 of 11 shooting as the primary defender, forcing the Hawkeyes to look for other avenues to generate points.

Johnson’s defense was crucial in a pivotal sequence at the close of the second quarter. With Iowa leading 46-44, Chloe Kitts (11 points, 10 rebounds) grabbed an offensive rebound and pitched it out to Milaysia Fulwiley. Fulwiley found Te-Hina Paopao (14 points) open on the wing. Paopao knocked down a 3-pointer to give the Gamecocks a one-point lead with 25 seconds to go in the half. Clark worked the ball quickly over half court but before she could initiate the offense, Johnson picked off her dribble and sprinted downcourt for a layup to give USC a 47-44 lead and momentum heading into the locker room.

South Carolina’s depth has been a major factor in its success throughout the season and the Championship Game was no different. Tessa Johnson scored a team-high 19 points and Fulwiley made a number of impactful plays off the dribble. The Gamecocks reserves took control for long stretches, outscoring the Iowa bench 37-0. Tessa Johnson outscored Clark over the last three quarters 17-12, making six of her seven shots in that span.

USC also held a distinct advantage on the boards, outrebounding Iowa 51-29.

One more order of business for the Gamecocks was sending their All-American center Kamilla Cardoso (15 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks) out a winner. Cardoso didn’t have one of her bigger scoring performances, but her presence in the post clearly shifted focus and opened up opportunities for her teammates.

Staley and several South Carolina players downplayed the “revenge” aspect of the matchup, but Raven Johnson took last season’s loss hard and declared “the revenge tour” over following the game. A major difference between last season’s loss and this year’s Championship Game win came on the perimeter. In the 2023 matchup, the Gamecocks were 4 for 20 from beyond the arc. USC made 8 of 19 from deep, Sunday.

What Staley didn’t downplay was the contribution that Clark has made in growing the game. After hoisting the trophy, Staley declared Clark “one of the GOATS” and praised her accomplishments. “I want to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport,” Staley said. “She carried a heavy load for our sport. You are one of the GOATs of our games and we appreciate you.”

South Carolina’s coach has some lofty accomplishments of her own. With Sunday’s victory, Staley becomes the fifth coach to win three national championships, joining Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey and Tara VanDerveer.

USC became the tenth team in Division I history to complete an undefeated season (38-0), joining UConn (six times), Baylor (2011-12), Tennessee (1997-98) and Texas (1985-86). As a program, South Carolina is now tied for third most titles, trailing just UConn and Tennessee.