On Sunday, April 7, 2024, the South Carolina Gamecocks beat the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 to win their third NCAA women’s championship. 

The Gamecocks’ Tessa Johnson had 19 points and Kamilla Cardoso had 15 points.

 It was the final game in the college career for the Iowa Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark, who broke Division I scoring records for both women and men and is going to the WNBA draft. She had 30 points.

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley was emotionally overcome and in tears after the win. According to NBC News, “I’m so incredibly happy for our players,” Staley said. “It doesn’t always end like you want it to end, much like last year.” With the win, South Carolina had the 10th perfect season in the history of Division I women’s basketball.

Staley, after accepting the trophy along with her team, congratulated Iowa for an “incredible season,” singling out Clark. Staley wanted “ to personally thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport. She carried a heavy load for our sport. And it’s just — it’s not going to stop here on the collegiate tour, but when she is the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft, she’s going to lift that league up as well. So, Caitlin Clark, if you’re out there: You are one of the GOATs of our game, and we appreciate you,” 

Strangely enough, Iowa knocked South Carolina out of the tournament last year, beating them in the Final Four. But since then, South Carolina has been undefeated.