The University of South Carolina Gamecocks have sit atop the world of women’s college basketball once more. Led by Dawn Staley, the Gamecocks downed the University of Iowa Hawkeyes by a score of 87-75 on Sunday, April 7 to hoist the gold trophy and finish the season with a perfect record of 38-0.
The Gamecocks offensive attack was powered by Teesa Johnson, who led her squad with 19 points. However, Johnson wasn’t alone as USC’s outing featured double-digit scoring performance from Te-Hina Paopao, Kamilla Cardoso and Chloe Kitts. Not to mention, Cardoso grabbed 17 rebounds and sent three shots back.
USC didn’t walk to the title though. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark was nuisance for the Gamecocks all game long, pouring in 30 points and grabbing eight boards. Kate Martin, Sydney Affolter and Hannah Stuelke combined for 39 points, but it wasn’t enough as a second-half surge from the Gamecocks put away the Hawkeyes.
The Gamecocks enter rarified territory with their latest title win. South Carolina joins a collection of only five programs that have won three or more titles. The SEC Champions are also the first team since UConn in 2015-2016 to finish the season without a loss. Losing only three seniors and bringing two of the top 15 recruits in the country, Staley’s squad appears poised to challenge for a title again next year.
