The Gamecocks won their third national championship under Dawn Staley on Sunday afternoon, defeating Iowa 87-75 to avenge their lone loss from the previous season and cap off a flawless 2023–24 campaign.
Because the Hawkeyes upset top-seeded South Carolina in the semifinals last year, handing the previously unbeaten Gamecocks their sole loss of the season, this one is especially sweet for Staley & Co.
The USC players weren’t afraid to answer yes when asked whether they wanted another chance against Iowa over the course of the weekend.
On a negative side, South Carolina’s victory also brings an end to Caitlin Clark’s outstanding college career.Although it was an incredible accomplishment for her team to make it to two Final Fours, the all-time greatest scorer in Division I basketball history lost both times in the national championship game.
Staley is familiar with that pain because, while playing for Virginia from 1988 to 1992, she guided her team to three Final Fours without ever taking home a championship.
