While the Wolfpack hung with the Gamecocks for two quarters, a 29-6 explosive third quarter run put South Carolina in the driver’s seat for good as they dispatched NC State 78-59. The win sends the Gamecocks into the national championship for the third time in seven years. They’ll face Iowa, who beat them in the semifinals last year en route to a loss in the national title game.
The night’s headline event did not disappoint, even as UConn started out strong and Caitlin Clark went 0-6 from behind the arc in the first half:
🏀3rd quarter about to start, and @UConnWBB lead @IowaWBB 32-26 in this second #WomensFinalFour matchup.🏀
The Huskies' Paige Bueckers has 7 points so far including this three in the 2nd quarter that put her team up 12⤵️ pic.twitter.com/6Ym1cOfiO3
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 6, 2024
Iowa found their shooting legs in the second half though and erased what had grown to a 12-point UConn lead at one point:
It's 68-64 @IowaWBB with just under three minutes left live on Westwood One.
She was quiet in the first half but Caitlin Clark has come alive in this 4th quarter with shots like this three earlier in the 4th⤵️#WomensFinalFour pic.twitter.com/f4zjNQynq4
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 6, 2024
Ryan Radtke and Debbie Antnonelli had the final call as Iowa was able to close out the game:
It's @IowaWBB and @GamecockWBB for a national championship on Sunday!
The Hawkeyes claw back from a six-point halftime deficit to take down @UConnWBB 71-69.
Ryan Radtke, @debbieantonelli & @ROSGO21 had the final call on Westwood One from Cleveland🎙️#WomensFinalFour pic.twitter.com/MAiXBhx2Ur
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 6, 2024
Following the win, Westwood One’s Ros Gold-Onwude chatted with Caitlin Clark about the Hawkeyes’ performance:
Our very own @ROSGO21 caught up with the Hawkeyes' Caitlin Clark following @IowaWBB's 71-69 win.
The victory over UConn sends Iowa back to the national championship on Sunday where they'll face @GamecockWBB ⤵️#WomensFinalFour pic.twitter.com/HFdTDyJflP
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 6, 2024
In the first game of the night, it was only a one-point game at halftime, though South Carolina showed signs of being able to hit big threes like this bucket by MiLaysia Fulwiley:
🏀It's a one-point game at the half as @GamecockWBB lead @PackWomensBball 32-31 thanks to buckets like this three by MiLaysia Fulwiley in the first quarter🗑️
Join Ryan Radtke, @debbieantonelli & @ROSGO21 for the third quarter shortly! pic.twitter.com/8jXQFjSaTv
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 6, 2024
While the third quarter may have begun close, South Carolina quickly pulled away thanks to lockdown defense on one end and unstoppable shooting on the other. When the final seconds ticked away, Bree Hall and team had shot their way into the national championship with a quarter to go:
The official final call will come shortly, but by all accounts this Ryan Radtke call of a Bree Hall three-pointer at the end of an explosive 3rd quarter will stand as the @GamecockWBB declaration that they're here to win a title⤵️ pic.twitter.com/JW6dFvul15
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 6, 2024
After the game, Westwood One’s Ros Gold-Onwude spoke to Te-Hina Paopao courtside about the Gamecocks’ win:
At the end of the first quarter, @UConnWBB lead @IowaWBB 19-14.
While we wait to see who faces South Carolina in the National Championship on Sunday, our @ROSGO21 spoke to the Gamecocks' Te-Hina Paopao courtside following their 78-59 win over NC State🎙️⤵️ pic.twitter.com/vN8DIAPgF7
— Westwood One Sports (@westwood1sports) April 6, 2024
