by As the college basketball season comes to a close we have one last game to play as the Iowa Hawkeyes led by superstar guard Caitlin Clark takes on the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks under coach Dawn Staley. This game in front of a 18,300 full capacity crowd in Cleveland, Ohio did not disappoint.
It was Dawn Staley and her Gamecocks who won the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship beating Iowa 87-75. It was a back and forth battle that saw South Carolina take a lead in the second half and never let it go. Even with the Iowa Hawkeyes cutting the lead to just five under four minutes to play, Staley’s team never flinched as that was as close as the Hawkeyes would get. Staley achieved her third national title (2017, 2022, and 2024) with South Carolina as they put their name up as the modern dynasty in College basketball.
The Hawkeyes started the game as if they were shot out of a cannon and on to the court. A 10-0 start for Iowa was thanks to a strong first quarter from Caitlin Clark and Kate Martin. Martin got things started off hitting a three to open up scoring then followed by a silky smooth mid-ranged shot, her impacted was felt in the first half as she finished with 16 points.
The first half was dead even between the two teams, Clark exploded for 18 points in the first quarter to play. The Hawkeyes faithful was on their feet while Clark put on a display of scoring that we have become custom to during this season. Sophomore guard Raven Johnson was assigned to guard Clark. Johnson guarded Clark in last years Final Four when they faced off as Clark scored 41 points. Johnson remembered that, She held Clark to only 12 points after the first quarter.
Taking away Clark has a top scoring option was the key to South Carolinas success. They had the size advantage and took advantage of it as they rewarded future WNBA draftee Kamilla Cardoso for her 17 rebounds on the day. Cardoso dominated the paint during the duration of the of the tournament. Hannah Stuelke did everything she could to box out Cardose but couldn’t make of for the size advantage that was in the favor of the Brazil native Senior for the Gamecocks.
South Carolina took a three point lead to end the half thanks to Johnson stealing the ball from Clark and taking it coast-to-coast as the half expired for a 49-46 lead. The first half was dead even, the second was all about the Gamecocks as they took control of the game despite Iowa’s best efforts.
The second half was a true display on how dominant South Carolina has been, it was also the day where everyone learned the name Tessa Johnson. Tessa Johnson is a Freshman guard that went under the radar of most casual fans of the game, there is no doubt that the sports world will remember the Freshman who led her team with 19 points. Tessa Johnson was lethal using her jump shot as she gave the Iowa defense more to worry about when she hit three shots from behind the arc.
Under five minutes left in the game Clark and company went on a 8-0 run to cut the Gamecocks lead to five points and made it a two possession game. The overwhelming South Carolina defense didn’t allow another point for Iowa for the rest of the game. The Gamecock faithful knew it was time to celebrate and celebrate they did. The starters for both teams got standing ovations as the clock dwindled down and Dawn Staley claimed her well-deserved National Championship
