South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was doubled over with emotion following the Gamecocks’ 87-75 victory over the Iowa Hawkeyes in the NCAA women’s national championship.
It was a storybook win to beat tough odds, as South Carolina became the 10th Division I team to complete a full season without a single loss (38-0).
Recovering from her tears, Staley expressed gratitude to Iowa’s superstar for the excitement she brought to the game all season.
While Staley offered praise and recognition throughout her postgame comments, she and her players drew the same sentiments from major figures in the sports world and beyond.
Former and current athletes laud Staley, South Carolina
Staley has now won two championships in three years for South Carolina, leading the team to a 109-3 record over that span. She has three national titles as a coach but she also racked up plenty of accolades as a player.
From her two national player of the year awards at Virginia, to her three Olympic gold medals and six WNBA All-Star appearances, Staley is continuing to change women’s basketball.
Staley is the first Black coach in Division I college basketball to finish a season undefeated. Angel Reese, incoming WNBA star out of LSU, expressed excitement and gratitude following Staley’s most recent accomplishment.
Star South Carolina alums celebrate
Sunday’s win came in an emotionally charged rematch for South Carolina. The Gamecocks, highlighted by reigning WNBA Rookie of the Year Aliyah Boston, were eliminated from last year’s Final Four by Clark and the Hawkeyes.
Boston was able to experience the completion of the Gamecocks’ revenge tour in person, supporting Staley as she cried postgame.
South Carolina and the 1991 Tennessee Lady Volunteers are the only teams to claim victory in the national title game against the team that eliminated them from the previous women’s NCAA tournament.
Under Staley, A’ja Wilson led the Gamecocks to their first NCAA championship in 2017. She went on to become a two-time WNBA champion and MVP with the Las Vegas Aces.
News
WNBA star Chennedy Carter, who shoved Caitlin Clark, SLAMS NBA 2K25 over her video game appearance: ‘They wrong for this’
WNBA star Chennedy Carter, who shoved Caitlin Clark, SLAMS NBA 2K25 over her video game appearance: ‘They wrong for this’ The impending release of NBA 2K25 is set to drop for video gamers around the world in over a week’s time, but…
Angel Reese Made a Post After Losing to Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Angel Reese Made a Post After Losing to Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever. On Friday night, Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky were defeated on their home court by Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever, 100-81. The Sky have now lost five straight games but still hold the…
Cameras Catch Angel Reese’s Blunt Caitlin Clark Accusation During Fever-Sky
Cameras Catch Angel Reese’s Blunt Caitlin Clark Accusation During Fever-Sky. As expected, there was no shortage of action during Friday’s highly-anticipated showdown between the Indiana Fever and the Chicago Sky. Ultimately, it was Caitlin Clark and Co. who secured a big win after blowing out the Sky…
Chicago Sky’s Diamond DeShields Facing SUSPENSION For Flagrant Foul on Caitlin Clark
“Absolutely filthy”- Fans lambast Diamond DeShields for flagrant foul on Caitlin Clark. Diamond DeShields starred in a controversial moment with Caitlin Clark during Friday night’s Chicago Sky vs Indiana Fever game. With 3:52 seconds left on the clock in the fourth…
Postgame Interview: Caitlin Clark EXPLODES 31pt/12ast! Caitlin Clark discusses Indiana Fever’s surging confidence as playoffs loom
Postgame Interview: Caitlin Clark EXPLODES 31pt/12ast post game interview. “Coming in hot”: Caitlin Clark discusses Indiana Fever’s surging confidence as playoffs loom The Indiana Fever secured a morale-boosting 100-81 road victory over their Eastern Conference rivals Chicago Sky on Friday….
Angel Reese rocking her new exclusive kicks for her game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever
Angel Reese rocking her new exclusive kicks for her game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The shoes are simply incredible. Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese warms up before a WNBA basketball game against the Indiana Fever, Friday, Aug. 30,…
End of content
No more pages to load