Unbeaten South Carolina faces Caitlin Clark and Iowa in final – Orange County Register

CLEVELAND — Dawn Staley knows Sunday’s national championship game is a big moment for women’s basketball.

South Carolina looks to complete a perfect season with the program’s third NCAA title. Standing in the way of Staley and the Gamecocks is a generational player in Caitlin Clark and an Iowa team seeking the school’s first women’s national championship.

“It’s a monumental game for our game. We’re very fortunate to be a part of it,” said Staley, AP Coach of the Year. “We are witnessing the legacy of Caitlin Clark. You watch her. You prepare for her. You can’t help but really love the way she breaks down the game. You love the way she executes.

Clark did almost everything she could at Iowa – except win a national championship. She is the NCAA Division I career scoring leader, holds numerous other records and has propelled Iowa into the title game two years in a row.

All that’s left is one more win against the team Iowa eliminated in the national semifinals last season.

“I think bringing a national title back to the University of Iowa would be super special,” Clark said. “Obviously, that’s special in itself, to be able to win back-to-back national title games. I know everyone was coming to see me before the season started and there was only one thing left to do. I don’t think people realize how difficult it is to get to that point. So I’m just proud of our group.

Clark said his legacy won’t be defined by what happens Sunday afternoon. For her, it’s more about the lives she’s affected.

“I’ve been playing basketball at this university for four years, and it comes down to two games, whether or not I’m proud of myself and proud of the way I handled myself and proud of the way I handled myself.” I had an impact on people in their lives, I don’t think that’s a fair assessment,” she said.

Clark just won one of his toughest matches of the season. She had to work to get her 21 points in a 71-69 win over UConn on Friday night.

“Iowa is a challenge. They’re playing their best basketball,” Staley said. “They play inspired. They play like they want to win a national championship. U.S. too. I think it’s a crash course in who will have the best run, who will be able to execute when it’s time to execute.

South Carolina is looking to become the 10th team to post a perfect season in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history.

It would be the first since UConn in 2016 and might just be the most surprising of the bunch. Staley lost all five starters from last season’s team. South Carolina had a few scares throughout the season, but always found a way to win.

The Gamecocks have a dominant frontcourt led by 6-foot-7 Kamilla Cardoso. Unlike last year’s game, where the Hawkeyes played zone and challenged the Gamecocks to shoot from the outside, South Carolina was fantastic from behind the 3-point line. Raven Johnson and Te-Hina PaoPao provided a solid outside shooting presence for the Gamecocks.

“I think in this match you couldn’t ask for anything better. I think it’s a testament to how great women’s basketball has been at all levels throughout the year,” Clark said. “We know we have our hands full. Everyone across the country knows South Carolina has been the team all year. They observed him. They deserved it. They were simply incredible.

KATE THE GREAT

Iowa’s Kate Martin will share the starting lineup with Clark for the 139th time on Sunday. For a moment on Friday, it looked like she might not be able to play after she was inadvertently elbowed in the face.

Martin, who broke her nose several times, left a trail of blood as she ran off the field to the locker room. She returned to court before the damage was cleaned up.

On Saturday, she had a little discoloration on the side of her nose, but she said it wasn’t broken.

“This girl is tougher than nails. This is his sixth year. She began her career with a torn ACL and missed her first season. I think Kate would tell you it was the best thing that ever happened to her,” Clark said. “It gave her a perspective on what basketball is really about. It made her a better leader. She was a born leader.”

FOLLOW ALONG

Iowa has certainly been must-watch television in recent years with Clark. Friday night’s semifinal win over UConn drew a record 14.2 million viewers. The game peaked with 17 million. South Carolina’s win over NC State was watched by 7.1 million people, peaking at 9 million.