Cleveland, Ohio – The top-seeded South Carolina Gamecocks have quietly dominated the NCAA women’s basketball tournament despite being undefeated and possessing a deep roster. However, their presence in the national championship game may finally bring them the attention they deserve.
After a resounding 78-59 victory over the third-seeded NC State in the Final Four at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, the Gamecocks improved their record to 37-0. Now, South Carolina is set to face either the Iowa Hawkeyes or the UConn Huskies in the title game on Sunday.
Kamilla Cardoso, a standout player for South Carolina, led the team with 22 points and 11 rebounds in the semifinal game against NC State. Despite briefly exiting the game due to an injury scare, Cardoso returned in the second half and helped propel her team to a dominant victory.
Head coach Dawn Staley praised Cardoso’s performance, highlighting her impact on the game and predicting even greater things to come from the talented center. Additionally, players like Ashlyn Watkins, Raven Johnson, and Te-Hina Paopao made significant contributions to the Gamecocks’ success.
South Carolina’s journey to the national championship game marks a remarkable achievement, with the team boasting an impressive record of 108-3 over the last three seasons. This opportunity presents the Gamecocks with a chance to secure their third national title in seven years.
On the other side, NC State’s dream season came to an end at 31-7, concluding their second Final Four appearance and first since 1998. The Wolfpack’s Aziaha James led her team with a notable 20-point performance in the semifinal matchup.
Meanwhile, the second semifinal game is poised for an exciting showdown between standout players Caitlin Clark of Iowa and Paige Bueckers of UConn. Both players have been instrumental in their respective teams’ success, with Clark showcasing her scoring prowess and Bueckers making a strong comeback from a previous season-ending injury.
As the anticipation builds for the national championship game, both teams are focused on securing victory and etching their names in college basketball history. The showdown between Iowa and UConn promises to be a thrilling battle of skill, determination, and championship aspirations.