Gamecocks, coach Staley capture title

DALLAS— South Carolina coach Dawn Staley finally could raise an NCAA championship trophy.

A’ja Wilson scored 23 points, and Staley and the Gamecocks won their first national championship with a 67- 55 victory Sunday against Mississippi State. Wilson was voted the most outstanding player of the Final Four.

Staley reached the Final Four three times as a player at Virginia but never won the title. She also led South Carolina to the national semifinals two years ago before the school lost to Notre Dame.

After the final buzzer sounded, Staley grabbed the trophy and paraded it around the court while holding it high above her head.

‘‘ You have to give tribute to the former players,’’ Staley said. ‘‘ Going back to my Temple [ coaching] days, they believed in our vision. We took that vision to South Carolina, and that vision was we’ll be national champions if you stick with us and if you’re disciplined and if you believe. . . . Happy our words came true to them.’’

The Bulldogs had all the momentum on their side after their shocking upset Friday of Connecticut ended the Huskies’ record 111- game winning streak, but Mississippi State couldn’t muster the same result against the Gamecocks.

Morgan William, who had become the face of the tournament after scoring 41 points in the Bulldogs’ victory against Baylor in the Elite Eight and making the gamewinner at the buzzer against Connecticut, was held to eight points.

South Carolina’s victory came a day after its men’s team lost to Gonzaga 77- 73 in the national semifinals in Glendale, Arizona.