The 2024 Women’s March Madness tournament came to a thrilling conclusion as the South Carolina Gamecocks claimed their third NCAA Championship title.
Head Coach Dawn Staley/Photo Courtesy of Morry Gash/AP
The women’s March Madness tournament was historic, and in the end, a champion was crowned. The South Carolina Gamecocks won their third championship as they beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75.
The Gamecocks reached the championship after beating the North Carolina State Wolfpack in a blowout. The Hawkeyes defeated the University of Connecticut (UConn) Huskies in a close game to get to the big game. South Carolina’s undefeated season was on the line, and they delivered.
Despite a hot start from Iowa, South Carolina responded to the 10-0 run and stayed in the game. The Gamecocks led at halftime and managed to go on a run of their own in the third quarter. They went on an 11-0 run and extended their lead.
South Carolina’s bench was key in this game, as they outscored Iowa’s bench 37-0. It was players like Tessa Johnson (who scored a career-high 19 points off the bench) who gave the Gamecocks a spark off the bench. As far as starters, Kamilla Cardoso (who is expected to be a top pick of the WNBA draft), had 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
Coach Dawn Staley was emotional about the win and credited God for the team’s success.
“We serve an unbelievable God — we serve an unbelievable God,” Staley said to ESPN’s Holly Rowe. “Uncommon favor, unbelievable. So proud, I’m so proud.”
“God is funny like that, He is funny,” Staley added later. “He rips your heart and He makes you believe. He makes you believe the unimaginable. Thank you, Jesus, thank you.”
Staley also commended Caitlin Clark for her historic season.
“I have to congratulate Iowa on an incredible season. Awesome,” Staley said. “And I wanna personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting our sport. She carried a heavy load for our sport and it just is not gonna stop here on a collegiate tour; but when she is the no. 1 in the WNBA Draft, she’s gonna lift that league up, as well. So Caitlin Clark, if you’re out there, you are one of the GOATs of our games and we appreciate you.”
The Gamecocks have an overall record of 109-3 in the last three seasons. Before this season, South Carolina won a championship in 2022. Their first championship was in 2017. South Carolina made the Final Four in 2023 but lost to Iowa. The rematch lived up to the hype and managed to average 18.7 million views.
The Gamecocks accomplished something special, and with WNBA legend Dawn Staley leading the way, they will continue to accomplish great things.
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