On Sunday, South Carolina clinched the 10th undefeated championship in women’s college basketball history by defeating Iowa 87-75. Remarkably, this victory came just a year after Iowa had eliminated the Gamecocks in the Final Four.

This marks the Gamecocks’ third national title, with their second triumph in the past three seasons, a testament to their resilience, especially considering Dawn Staley lost all five starters from the previous season.

Despite Iowa's early 10-point lead and their persistence until midway through the second quarter, South Carolina managed to turn the tide. The game remained closely contested until Raven Johnson's crucial layup put the Gamecocks ahead 49-46 at halftime, a lead they maintained until the end.

Noteworthy performances came from Tessa Johnson, who contributed 19 points off the bench, while Kamilla Cardoso, with 15 points and 17 rebounds, earned the MVP title. Te-Hina Paopao added 14 points, and Chloe Kitts chipped in with 11.

South Carolina's flawless 38-0 season solidified their place among the elite, as only five Division I programs have achieved such perfection, including UConn (six times), Baylor (2011-12), Tennessee (1997-98), and Texas (1985-86).

Despite South Carolina's dominance, Iowa's Caitlin Clark showcased her prowess by scoring 18 points in the first quarter, setting a new record for points in a period during the national championship game.