The 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship featured the top-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. South Carolina claimed the title with an 87–75 victory, finishing a perfect 36–0 season. The Gamecocks were anchored inside by Kamilla Cardoso, who posted 15 points and 17 rebounds to control the paint. Iowa’s star Caitlin Clark scored 30 points in a brilliant individual performance, but the Hawkeyes could not overcome South Carolina’s defensive pressure and roster depth. Tessa Johnson also delivered a strong all-around outing for South Carolina, helping the team secure a historic championship in front of passionate fans from both programs.
For more on the programs involved, visit the official team sites: South Carolina Athletics, Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics, and the venue’s site, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
South Carolina Gamecocks Women’s Basketball — Player Stats
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Field Goals Made | Field Goals Attempted | 3-Point Field Goals Made | 3-Point Field Goals Attempted | Free Throws Made | Free Throws Attempted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamilla Cardoso | 15 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Tessa Johnson | 19 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 3 | 6 | 4 | 4 |
| Zia Cooke | 11 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Brea Beal | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Iowa Hawkeyes Women’s Basketball — Player Stats
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Steals | Blocks | Field Goals Made | Field Goals Attempted | 3-Point Field Goals Made | 3-Point Field Goals Attempted | Free Throws Made | Free Throws Attempted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caitlin Clark | 30 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 20 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| Monika Czinano | 12 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Sydney Affolter | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Hannah Stuelke | 7 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| McKenna Warnock | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match Summary | South Carolina defeated Iowa 87–75 to win the 2024 NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. Caitlin Clark’s 30 points highlighted Iowa’s effort, but South Carolina’s interior presence, led by Kamilla Cardoso (15 points, 17 rebounds), and balanced team play were decisive. |
| Venue | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH |
| Date | April 7, 2024 |
| Final Score | South Carolina 87 – Iowa 75 |
Head-to-Head — 2023–24 Season Records
| Team | Season | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Hawkeyes | 2023–24 NCAA Season | 32 | 6 |
| South Carolina Gamecocks | 2023–24 NCAA Season | 36 | 0 |
Player Comparison — Clark vs. Cardoso
| Stat | Caitlin Clark (Iowa) | Kamilla Cardoso (South Carolina) |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 30 | 15 |
| Rebounds | 8 | 17 |
| Assists | 0 | 0 |
| Steals | 2 | 0 |
| Blocks | 0 | 1 |
Upcoming Fixtures
| Fixture | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Next Game (Preseason) | November 2024 | To Be Announced |
| Regular Season Opener | November 2024 | To Be Announced |
Team Lineups — Starters
| Team | Starting Players |
|---|---|
| Iowa Hawkeyes | Caitlin Clark, Sydney Affolter, Monika Czinano, Hannah Stuelke, McKenna Warnock |
| South Carolina Gamecocks | Kamilla Cardoso, Zia Cooke, Brea Beal, Laeticia Amihere, Raven Johnson |
Venue & Conditions
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 68°F (20°C) — Cleveland, OH |
| Venue | Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse |
Player of the Match
| Player | Why |
|---|---|
| Kamilla Cardoso | Cardoso’s 15 points and 17 rebounds anchored South Carolina’s interior game, limiting second-chance opportunities for Iowa and helping the Gamecocks control tempo and positioning throughout the contest. |
Fan and Coach Reactions
| Group | Reaction |
|---|---|
| South Carolina Fans | Celebrated the Gamecocks’ perfect season and championship run, applauding the team’s collective effort and Cardoso’s dominance in the paint. |
| Iowa Fans | Praised Caitlin Clark’s 30-point performance and leadership while expressing disappointment at the loss, recognizing the team’s resilience against a formidable South Carolina squad. |
| Dawn Staley (South Carolina) | Staley praised her team’s cohesion, resilience and defensive intensity across the tournament, crediting a collective effort for the championship. |
| Lisa Bluder (Iowa) | Bluder lauded Caitlin Clark’s leadership and scoring but acknowledged South Carolina’s depth and defense were ultimately difficult to counter. |
Substitutions, Injuries & Roster Notes
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Notable Substitutions | Caitlin Clark was subbed out in the 4th quarter at 7:32 for McKenna Warnock. Monika Czinano was replaced by Hannah Stuelke in the 3rd quarter (5:30). |
| Injury Report | No significant injuries were reported for either team during the match. |
| Players Seated | Iowa’s Gabbie Marshall was seated for most of the game due to a minor issue; South Carolina’s LeLe Grissett was held out as a precautionary rest. |
Despite the defeat, Caitlin Clark’s performance further cemented her status as one of the nation’s premier scorers; see her profile on the team site for career details: Caitlin Clark — Hawkeyes Profile. For further context on South Carolina’s program and coach Dawn Staley, visit the Gamecocks’ official site: Dawn Staley — Profile.











