REDEMPTION! South Carolina beats Iowa 87-75 to cap off storybook season
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A perfect ending to a perfect season. South Carolina women’s basketball beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 for their third-ever national championship in a game that was very close - up until the final quarter.
The Hawkeyes started the game at a blistering pace, taking a 13-2 lead with 6 minutes left in the first quarter. Naismith Player of the Year Caitlin Clark started the game on fire, scoring 18 of the Hawkeye’s first 27 points and giving their team a 20-9 lead heading into the first timeout of the game. The star ended the game with 30 points.
The two star freshmen for the Gamecocks made a huge impact in today’s game, as they have been all season.
MiLaysia Fulwiley helped calm the team down, bringing the lead down to two with a minute left. A three by Clark extended the lead to 7, giving the Hawkeyes a 27-20 lead heading into the second quarter.
Tessa Johnson helped the Gamecocks in the second, scoring four straight points at the start of the quarter. The freshman finished with a game-high 19 points, on a highly efficient 7-11 shooting.
An and-one by Cardoso tied the game 27-27 early in the second after a 7-0 run.
The game went back and forth midway through the second. Iowa’s second-leading scorer Hannah Stuelke stamped her name in the quarter, scoring 7 straight at one point.
However, South Carolina pulled off an impressive run to end the second quarter, going into the half with a 49-46 lead.
The third quarter became a game of runs.
The Gamecocks came out of the half-swinging, scoring six straight and extending the lead to nine after a shot by Te-Hina Paopao. Iowa responded, going on a 9-2 run to bring the lead down to 4 with four minutes remaining in the third.
The Gamecocks stayed in control for most of the third. However, Iowa never backed down, keeping the game within arm’s distance.
After a physical battle on both sides of the court, Tessa Johnson hit a huge three to give the Gamecocks a crucial 68-59 lead heading into the fourth.
South Carolina dominated the fourth quarter early. The inside game of Cardoso and Chloe Kitts helped the Gamecocks extend their lead to as much as 14 points.
Iowa wouldn’t go away, Midway through the fourth quarter, two back-to-back threes by Iowa brought the lead to six and also brought the crowd to a huge roar.
Both teams gave everything they had in the final minutes of the game. A huge block and putback by Cardoso helped the Gamecocks keep an eight-point lead. Ashlyn Watkins hit a clutch free throw to bring that lead to nine with 1 minute to go in the game.
After carrying the Hawkeyes for the entire game, Clark missed multiple shots in the final minutes of the game and was shadowed by Raven Johnson the entire second half.
South Carolina ended the game on a 7-0 run, winning 87-75 for their third NCAA National Championship. The team’s depth and balance in all positions overwhelmed the Hawkeyes. Iowa’s bench was outscored 37-0; the tale of the game.
Kamilla Cardoso won Most Outstanding Player, with Tessa Johnson also making the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
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