This was the biggest game in Women’s basketball history, as far as ratings went, and it lived up to expectations as Kamilla Cardosa led the South Carolina Gamecocks to victory to secure a National Title over Iowa to finish their perfect season at 38-0 and their second title in four years under Head Coach Dawn Staley.
   Iowa started the game on a 13-2 run, headed by Kate Martin’s five points and two three-pointers from Caitlin Clark. The three-point barrage continued for Clark and the Hawkeyes as she scored 13-straight points for Iowa in the first stanza. South Carolina inserted MiLasyia Fulwiley into the game and the energy picked up as she scored or assisted on eleven-consecutive points for the Gamecocks as they went on a 11-2 run to close to within four, 24-20 late in the first. Clark ended the quarter with another long three and had 18 points heading into the second while giving Iowa a seven point lead, 27-20.
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Starting the second quarter, South Carolina’s Tessa Johsnon scored four points in a row and Cardosa finished a score through contact and hit a free throw to tie the game at 27 after a 7-0 run. The game then went back-and-forth as both teams were tied at 34, halfway through the second. Cardosa scored on another bucket down low and gave the Gamecocks their first lead of the game at 36-34 before Hannah Stuelkey answered back for Iowa with a three-point play to put Iowa back in front, 37-36.
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Late in the second after threes from Te-Hina Poapao and Clark, the game was tied at 44 with less than a minute to go in the half. South Carolina scored the last five points of the half to take the lead going into halftime, 49-46. Clark and Martin combined for 32 of the Hawkeyes 46 points in the half.
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 In the third, Chloe Kitts scored two-consecutive buckets and the Gamecocks added another score to extend their lead to 55-46, forcing Iowa to take an early timeout. After the break, the Hawkeyes scored five points in a row to cut the lead to four, 55-51. The Gamecocks then asserted themselves with a quick spurt to end the third with a 68-59 advantage, heading into the final ten minutes of the contest.
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 In the fourth, Tessa Johnson continued to score with ease and Iowa started to close the gap as the Gamecocks held a 78-70 lead with 5:58 to go in the game. Kamilla Cardosa asserted her will late with blocks, rebounds and a couple of put-backs in to seal the deal for South Carolina for the win, 87-75. The Gamecocks finish perfect, and will be heavy favorites to repeat next year as well!
All pictures used with credit to USA Today Sports
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Jasone Pearson