We’re here. It’s a matchup for the ages for the national championship. The best player in the nation, Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, faces the best team in the nation: undefeated South Carolina.
It’s a rematch of last year’s Final Four, where Iowa upset then-undefeated South Carolina. The Gamecocks (37-0) haven’t lost since despite a mostly revamped starting lineup.
What is the same as last year is Clark, who earned a second straight Naismith National Player of the Year award while rampaging her way through the record books this season. Sunday will mark the final game of her historic college career, but can she truly be considered the GOAT if she doesn’t win a championship?
Her Hawkeyes came up short in the national title game last year against LSU. They have their shot at redemption, while the Gamecocks have a chance to finish a perfect season.
You couldn’t script it any better, so follow along all day as we track the action in Cleveland.
3 p.m. ET — No. 1 South Carolina vs. No. 1 Iowa (ABC)
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South Carolina is so good at putting a few more points on the board at the end of quarters. It came up big in the regular season win against LSU (one of their few close games). That quick five points heading into the half could matter.
Halftime: South Carolina 49, Iowa 46
Iowa’s Kate Martin finishes with 11 points in the first half of her final collegiate game. South Carolina guard TeHina PaoPao is 3-for-3 from the three-point line.
PaoPao ended the second quarter with a huge three for South Carolina after a block from Feagin. Raven Johnson added to the Gamecocks’ lead with a steal and fastbreak layup.
Stuelke is back at the free throw line. She has the last niof Iowa’s points.
She’s made a huge difference on both ends for Iowa, including this block from the first quarter.
You know who didn’t play in that 2023 semifinal matchup? Tessa Johnson, because she was still in high school. She’s been clutch for South Carolina off the bench with an efficient nine points.
Another layup from Cardoso gave South Carolina the lead but Stuelke was quick to answer for Iowa and tie the game. She was fouled under the basket as she scored. It’s Ashyln Watkins’ second personal.
South Carolina is up to 12 second chance points after a wild sequence resulted in a layup for Cardoso.
The second quarter is here. South Carolina freshman Tessa Johnson is the first to score in the period.
Everyone is watching …
If you don’t rock with Caitlin Clark game you’re just a FLAT OUT HATER!!!!! Stay far away from them people!! PLEASE
Clark is out of control. With another 3-pointer she reached 18 points in the first, the most ever recorded in a championship quarter.
Fulwiley is a GAME CHANGER. After making a 3-pointer on one end of the court, she broke up Iowa’s offense on the other end.
Freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley is in off the bench and she’s already making an impact with a quick layup followed by a second-chance bucket.
That is EXACTLY the start you want if you’re Iowa. Caitlin Clark is peak Caitlin Clark with two 3s, five free throws and 13 points. Kate Martin (one of the three starting seniors) has five. Rebounds are even now, but in that 7-0 start Iowa out-rebounded South Carolina, 4-1.
Stop everything. Caitlin Clark is heating up. She has the last 13 of Iowa’s points, three of which came from a highlight logo 3-pointer.
If I recall correctly, South Carolina’s largest deficit of the tournament was two points in one of the Albany regional games. Unchartered territory for this Gamecocks group.
Cardoso answered a Clark three-pointer with a layup for South Carolina’s first points of the game.
South Carolina can’t get anything to fall and the Hawkeyes start the game on a 10-0 run.
Cardoso easily won the tip but it was Iowa to get on the board first with a three-pointer from Kate Martin.
Here are your starters. The crowd came to an undeniable roar when Caitlin Clark was introduced.
Iowa:
Caitlin Clark
Gabbie Marshall
Sydney Affolter
Kate Martin
Hannah Stuelke
South Carolina:
Te-Hina Paopao
Raven Johnson
Bree Hall
Chloe Kitts
Kamilla Cardoso
The moment has arrived. The national anthem will play soon, players will be introduced. No matter the outcome, this game will be historic for women’s basketball.
Which one will happen?
🏆 South Carolina finishes off the 10th undefeated season in women’s basketball history.
Hello from Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland. It’s a full house and looks like nearly every fan in the place is at their seat standing during pre-tip warm-ups.
Clark won’t be the only key player for the Hawkeyes today, as Kate Martin is also expected to provide an X-factor. Ahead of her final game for Iowa, she gave the team an animated speech.
Caitlin Clark lost in the title game against LSU last year. The stage is set for a storybook ending to her record-breaking collegiate career.
Caitlin Clark comes out first, way before the rest of her team comes on court & gets shots up before the final game of her historic college career! Will she & Iowa cap it off w a Championship & beat undefeated South Carolina? 🏀🍿literally… the storyline is out of a movie 🎥 pic.twitter.com/l1F4E6GKrf
Caitlin Clark Mania knows no bounds. Hawkeyes fans are all around Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio.
Here’s Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder:
The crowds are already out!
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Click photo for story. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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Good afternoon folks and welcome to our national championship live tracker! We still have about an hour until gametime, so here’s some light reading to get you ready for the action
It’s almost that time! Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley woke up with the title clash on her mind:
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