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8 months ago
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President Joe Biden, former commander-in-chief Barack Obama and NBA legend LeBron James lead the congratulations for South Carolina women's basketball after the Gamecocks topped Iowa and Caitlin Clark in the national championship game on Sunday.
In a rematch from last season's Final Four where the Hawkeyes handed the Gamecocks their only loss of the season two contests short of a perfect season, South Carolina avenged that loss to lift a second national championship in three seasons.
Iowa led by as many as 11 points early in the game, but could not overcome the depth of the Gamecocks.
South Carolina had seven players score at least six points, with four players in double figures.
Clark scored 30 points in her final collegiate game, as she will likely be the No 1 overall selection in this month's WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever.
South Carolina completed a perfect season by defeating Iowa on Sunday in the title matchup
South Carolina's Kamilla Cardoso helped cut down the nets after the Gamecocks victory
'Congratulations to @GamecockWBB on closing out a perfect season with a NCAA Women's Basketball Championship win – your teamwork, focus, and tenacity was on full display all year. You've made your school and community proud,' Biden said on social media.
'Congrats to @GamecockWBB and Coach @DawnStaley on a perfect season and their third title! It's been an incredible year for women's basketball, and this team was so disciplined and talented. Well deserved,' Obama added.
'Protect Dawn Staley AT ALL COST!! No if, ands or buts!' James said on X.
'This gm will be the most WBB GM ever.. It didn’t disappoint. Congrats Lady Gamecocks,' Shannon Sharpe added.
'I’m sooo happy for @dawnstaley !! As a black woman, I admire what you’ve done! You always checked on me & always loved me like your own!' former LSU star Angel Reese said.
A collection of social-media messages congratulating South Carolina on the title victory
Congratulations to @GamecockWBB on closing out a perfect season with a NCAA Women's Basketball Championship win – your teamwork, focus, and tenacity was on full display all year.
You've made your school and community proud. https://t.co/nv49hgT7Vz
Protect Dawn Staley AT ALL COST!! No if, ands or buts! 🔒🫡
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 7, 2024This gm will be the most WBB GM ever.. It didn’t disappoint. Congrats Lady Gamecocks. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
— shannon sharpe (@ShannonSharpe) April 7, 2024I’m sooo happy for @dawnstaley!! As a black woman, I admire what you’ve done! You always checked on me & always loved me like your own! ❤️
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) April 7, 2024Clark, Gabbie Marshall, and Kate Martin all played for the entire game, save the last possession, for Iowa.
South Carolina had five players selected in last year's WNBA Draft and re-tooled heavily to win the championship this season.
The Gamecocks closest call to losing this season was in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, needing a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Kamilla Cardoso to defeat Tennessee.
South Carolina found a way and finished the year 38-0.
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