USC women…PERFECT!

Yes, behind historic Head Coach Dawn Staley, the University of South Carolina (USC) wrapped up a perfect season on Sunday (Apr. 7) with an 87-75 win over Iowa.

It was the Gamecocks’ third National Championship.

“I am so incredibly happy for our players. It doesn’t always end like you want it to end,” Staley said after the victory. “I’m just super proud of where I work. I’m super proud of our fans.

“It was awesome,” she added. “It’s unbelievable.”

There were many things standing in USC’s way entering the final contest, beginning with the country’s best player, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, being on the other end of the court.

“I just have to congratulate Iowa on an incredible season,” Staley recognized. “And I personally want to thank Caitlin Clark for lifting up our sport.”

Staley’s team knew it wasn’t going to silence the projected top pick in the upcoming WNBA draft, but also knew it had to be the better team.

And behind 19 points from Tessa Johnson, 15 from player of the game, Kamilla Cardoso, and 14 from Te-hina Paopao, the Gamecocks put-up enough to out-shine Clark’s 30, as well as a 10-0 Iowa lead to start the game, and USC went on to win by double figures.

Clark also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out five assists in the contest.

“You are one of the GOATs of our game, and we appreciate you,” Staley exclaimed to the 22-year-old standout opponent.

But Staley, Clark, and the rest of the basketball world already had witnessed Staley’s squad outplay Clark and her’s.

Cardoso also led the way with a game-high 17 rebounds, as well as strong defense throughout the finals victory and the entirety of the season.

“[And] our freshmen stepped up big-time,” Staley added. “Add in [sophomore] Ashlyn Watkins, who had a monster [20-rebound] game on Friday [in the semifinals vs. North Carolina State]…”

Then Iowa, as all USC opponents did in 2024, left the court after losing to the new-champion Gamecocks.

“I’m glad, in my heart,” Staley said after the win, detailing open-heart surgery she faced this season. “I’m just happy top to bottom.

“My family and basketball is just a big part of who I am.”

And it’s continued to be proven, Dawn Staley is who makes athletes who they are, time and time again.