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South Carolina fends off Iowa and Caitlin Clark to claim NCAA women’s championship
South Carolina clinched an impressive victory over Iowa in the NCAA women’s championship on Sunday, with a final score of 87-75. The Gamecocks’ win marked the end of Caitlin Clark’s remarkable college career at Iowa, as she played her final game for the Hawkeyes. Clark, who set a new NCAA Division I scoring record in February by surpassing Pete Maravich’s 54-year-old record, put up an impressive 30 points in the championship game.
South Carolina entered the game with a perfect 37-0 record, becoming the first undefeated champion since UConn in 2016. This victory secured their second national championship in three years and third in school history, as reported by CBS Sports. The Gamecocks, under the leadership of head coach Dawn Staley, demonstrated a relentless performance on both ends of the court throughout the season, ultimately becoming the 10th Division I team to complete a season without a single loss.
Despite losing all five starters from last season’s team, South Carolina managed to maintain their dominance and secure the championship. The Gamecocks’ triumph is a testament to their resilience, team chemistry, and exceptional coaching by Staley. In a season filled with challenges and uncertainties, they stood out as a force to be reckoned with in women’s college basketball.
Caitlin Clark’s outstanding performance in the championship game highlighted her as one of the greatest players in NCAA history. Though falling short in two NCAA title games, Clark’s impact on the game goes beyond wins and losses. She has inspired a new generation of fans and players with her talent, dedication, and passion for basketball.
South Carolina’s success in the tournament solidifies their status as a dominant force in women’s basketball. With three titles in the past eight years, including two of the last three, the Gamecocks have established themselves as a powerhouse in the sport. Head coach Dawn Staley joins elite company with her third national championship, alongside coaching legends like Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey, and Tara VanDerveer.
Looking ahead, South Carolina is well-positioned to continue their winning tradition with a majority of their team returning next season. While they bid farewell to star center Kamilla Cardoso, Staley’s squad remains a formidable contender for future championships. Tessa Johnson’s stellar performance with 19 points in the championship game underlined the team’s depth and versatility, ensuring a bright future for the Gamecocks.
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University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.