Sunday, March 7th, marked the culmination of the women’s NCAA Tournament with the highly anticipated national championship game. The showdown between the No. 1 overall seed South Carolina and 1 seed Iowa had fans on the edge of their seats, as both teams vied for the prestigious title.
South Carolina, with a flawless 37-0 record, was determined to secure their third national championship, the first since 2022. On the other hand, the Hawkeyes were seeking their first-ever title, led by Caitlin Clark in her final collegiate game.
In the first semifinal matchup, South Carolina displayed dominance, outscoring 3 seed NC State 78-59. Kamilla Cardoso led the charge with 22 points and 11 rebounds, propelling the Gamecocks to a resounding victory. Raven Johnson and Te-Hina Paopao also made significant contributions, securing the team’s spot in the championship game.
Meanwhile, Iowa faced a tough challenge against 3 seed UConn in the semifinals. A controversial offensive foul late in the game sparked a heated debate, but ultimately, Caitlin Clark’s stellar performance, supported by Hannah Stuelke’s 23 points, propelled the Hawkeyes to a narrow 71-69 victory, securing their place in the national championship game.
Notably, the Hawkeyes had defeated an undefeated South Carolina in the Final Four last year, adding an extra layer of anticipation to the championship showdown. Clark’s remarkable 41-point performance in that game had left a lasting impression on both teams.
TV Schedule and Streaming Information
The women’s national championship game was broadcasted on ABC, with Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo providing play-by-play and analysis. Holly Rowe served as the sideline reporter, offering insights and updates throughout the game. Additionally, fans had the option to stream the game on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offered a free trial to select subscribers.
Game Details
The championship game tipped off at 3 p.m. ET at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, with a capacity of 19,432. Similar to the semifinal games, the national championship was held at the home of the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, providing an electrifying atmosphere for the pinnacle of women’s college basketball.
