It has been two years since South Carolina last celebrated a national championship. Now, as of Sunday, the women’s basketball team gave their students another to enjoy, which they promptly did as they took to campus.
The Gamecocks won 87-75 over Iowa in the national title game of the NCAA Tournament to secure their third banner in program history. That led their students just off of Thomas Cooper Library on campus to leap in the fountain and celebrate the achievement.
The clip from the Gamecocks’ athletic department also obviously featured “Sandstorm” in the background.
South Carolina became the 10th team to ever finish as undefeated national champions in the history of women’s collegiate basketball. At 38-0, they are the first to do since UConn last did it back in 2016.
That makes it the crowning achievement of the 16-year tenure of Dawn Staley with the program. It gave Staley the third national title of her career with it being her first-ever unblemished record.
It also brings the Gamecocks’ record of the past three years to 109-3. That stretch includes three consecutive Final Fours, with another one the year prior to make it four straight years at least in the national semifinal, and a pair of national championships go with their first from 2017.
South Carolina took the dozen-point win over the Hawkeyes this afternoon behind a team effort on both ends. Kamilla Cardoso, the Most Outstanding Player, led the way with a double-double of 15 points and 17 rebounds to go with three blocks. Chloe Kitts also provided a double-double while Tessa Johnson, Milaysia Fulwiley, and Te-Hina Paopao, among others, made major contributions.
No one likes to celebrate a college title more than the student body. That’s why those in Columbia are enjoying themselves, and likely will continue to tonight, as they close the semester on high note with this national championship to commemorate.
Staley breaks down, cries tears of joy during post-game interview
South Carolina is an undefeated national champion after their 87-75 victory over Iowa. It was an accomplishment that’s right atop the resumé of Dawn Staley, which is why it brought out all the emotions from the leader of the Gamecocks.
ESPN’s Holly Rowe spoke to a crying Staley postgame following the dozen-point win for South Carolina to win her third national title at a record of 38-0. Her message was one of gratitude of a higher power as well as her team for completing the mission that they set to achieve this season.
“We serve an unbelievable God. We serve an unbelievable God,” said Staley through tears. “Uncommon faith, uncommon faith. So proud, so proud, so proud.”
“They weren’t going to be denied. I’m so incredibly happy for our players,” Staley said. “It doesn’t always end like you want it to end – much like last year. But my freshies are at the top of my heart because they wanted this. I hope we can erase whatever pain they had last year, experiencing not being able to finish it here. I’m just super proud of where I work.”
“You have to let young people be who they are. You also have to guide them, help them navigate through this tough, tough world. When young people lock in and they have a belief, have a trust? And their parents have that same trust? This is what can happen,” Staley stated. “They made history. They etched their names in the history books when this is the unlikeliest group to do it. Sometimes, I mean God is funny like that. He’s funny. He rips your heart out and he makes you believe. He makes you believe the unimaginable. Thank you, Jesus.”
Staley was justifiably overwhelmed by it all after what South Carolina did on Sunday. It’s something that they will be bringing back to Columbia with plenty of fulfillment as the newest members of college basketball’s record book.
“I’m super proud of our fans,” said Staley. “It’s awesome. It’s unbelievable.”
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