South Carolina's dominating traits were on full display against Iowa in NCAA championship win

Trailing Iowa 27-20 after one quarter, South Carolina refocused on the areas that ultimately won the game. Perhaps most importantly, they ruled the boards, out-rebounding the Hawkeyes 51-29 while winning the point-in-the-paint battle 48-32. 

Forward Chloe Kitts and center Kamilla Cardoso had a significant impact in swaying the game in the Gamecocks' favor. Kitts recorded 11 points and 10 rebounds, including six on the defensive end. Meanwhile, Cardoso was an unstoppable force under the basket, recording 16 points, 17 boards (10 defensive) and three blocks to earn the tournament's Most Outstanding Player award.

South Carolina also received superior guard play from starter Te-Hina Paopao and two freshmen, Milaysia Fulwiley and Tessa Johnson. Paopao went 4-of-7 from the field and 3-of-4 from three for 14 points while Fulwiley and Johnson combined for 28 points, eight rebounds and five assists to give USC a lift off the bench. 

In addition, Raven Johnson had a big night despite finishing only 1-of-11 from the field for three points. Iowa star Caitlin Clark went off in the first quarter, scoring an NCAA Championship record 18 points before Johnson put on a defensive clinic the rest of the way. 

Johnson held Clark to only three second-quarter points and just 12 points over the final 30 minutes. The sophomore guard logged more minutes (37) than any other South Carolina player. 

Depth played a massive role in South Carolina's title win. 

Iowa's starting lineup played virtually the entire 40 minutes and they understandably wore down, resulting in South Carolina's 37-0 advantage in bench scoring. 

In short, South Carolina dominated nearly every facet of Sunday's game to rightfully secure its place in the record books. With the win, the Gamecocks became only the fifth program ever to win three or more national titles and just the 10th to do so to cap an undefeated season.