Kamilla Cardoso Outclass Caitlin Clark And Wins Most Outstanding Player.
The Gamecocks completed an undefeated season with a thrilling 87-75 victory over Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the NCAA championship game on Sunday in Cleveland.
South Carolina (38-0) was the best team in the nation all season and it showed why on Sunday with an all-around scoring effort and a dominant showing on the glass.
Freshman Tessa Johnson led the Gamecocks with 19 points off the bench, but Kamilla Cardoso was the heart at soul as usual. She finished with 15 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks in an outstanding two-way effort.
The loss ends a record-breaking career for Clark, who leaves as the all-time leading scorer in both men’s and women’s college basketball. She scored 30 to lead Iowa on Sunday but it wasn’t enough.
Dawn Staley gives Iowa’s superstar major kudos during the trophy presentation: “Caitlin Clark, if you’re somewhere watching this, you are one of the GOATs of our game and we appreciate you.”
She noted that Clark carried a “heavy load” with her popularity, and it forever impacted the game.