The University of South Carolina’s Lady Gamecocks basketball team defeated the University of Iowa’s Lady Hawkeyes 87-75 Sunday in the NCAA Tournament championship.

This marked the first time since 2016 that women’s basketball had an undefeated champion in its tournament.

The Lady Hawkeyes had superstar player Caitlin Clark break yet another scoring record within the first quarter after she made 18 points, the most made during a championship first quarter. Clark took the title of NCAA Player of the Year and has since declared she will enter the WNBA draft.

At halftime, the Gamecocks were in the lead with 49 points to the Hawkeyes’ 46 points. The Gamecocks were ranked first in the SEC Conference after an undefeated season leading up to Sunday’s game. Meanwhile, the Hawkeyes were ranked second in the Big Ten Conference and had an overall regular season record of 34-4.

The Hawkeyes saw an incredible season filled with fan support as ticket retailer Vivid Seats reported that the average ticket price increased 162% since last season. Clark in particular was credited with the boost as, since she joined in 2020, ticket prices have increased by 207%. Fans were willing to travel 32% more this last season compared to the season before.

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South Carolina coach Dawn Staley was named the NCAA Coach of the Year. One of her players, senior Kamilla Cardoso, who was the top-scorer for the team with 15 points, has also entered the WNBA draft.

Fans can attend the WNBA draft this year, scheduled for April 15 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, for the first time since 2016. Twelve teams will go through three rounds of picks.