South Carolina's Dawn Staley 'did a lot of worrying' before facing Caitlin Clark and Iowa as Gamecocks coach opens up on her tearful display after winning NCAA title: 'Emotions took over'

Dawn Staley has opened up on her tearful display after winning the NCAA Championship with South Carolina, admitting 'emotions took over' following their victory over Iowa. 

The Gamecocks were crowned national champions again on Sunday night, when they got over the line with an 87-75 win against Caitlin Clark and Iowa in the Championship game at March Madness.

Staley, who has been in charge of South Carolina's women basketball program since 2008, has now guided the team to three NCAA titles in her 17-year reign, and two in the last three years.

The 53-year-old broke down in tears following her latest triumph in a rare emotional moment, which she admits was the after effect of 'a lot of worrying' before the game.

'For this Philly girl, emotions took over,' she said on GMA. 'When you're competing for a National Championship, [for] any big goal you pray and then you're not supposed to worry - and I did a lot of worrying. But I did a lot of praying.

Dawn Staley has opened up on her tearful display after winning NCAA title with South Carolina

The Gamecocks were crowned national champions again after an 87-75 win against Iowa

Staley broke down in tears following the third Championship win of her 17-year reign

'But when you've met that moment, I mean, my cup runneth over, and there's not much I could do besides release it through crying and through thanking the Lord for giving us another blessing. And I never not wanna give him his due because he's given me uncommon favor.'

Staley's Gamecocks finished the season undefeated at 38-0 after Sunday's crowning moment against Iowa, becoming only the 10th team in history to achieve that feat.

However, heading into the season the long-time head coach had concerns about the state of her future Championship winners.

'They have taken us through incredible highs and lows – meaning, to get us to this place, they didn’t come in in this shape.' Staley continued.

'You have to meet them and teach them where they need to be. Luckily, thank God, they got it in time enough to do something about it and challenge each other to be their best advocates, teammates and critics at the same time.'

To get over the line, South Carolina had to topple one of the greatest college basketball players of all time in Clark, who now plans to enter the WNBA after breaking a host of individual records in an incredible campaign for the Hawkeyes.

The Gamecocks head coach also doubled down on her praise of Iowa superstar Caitlin Clark

Staley heaped praise on the 22-year-old after getting the better of her on Sunday night, labelling her a 'GOAT' of the college game - and she doubled down on those comments while speaking on GMA. 

'There's not a lot of people that can demand, and command, that kind of attention. And Caitlin's one of them,' she said.

'We're thankful that she chose to play basketball. We're thankful for the way she's handled all of it. We're thankful that she's taken our game to the next level. I hope it's not just contained to women's basketball. 

'The WNBA needs another boost. I do think she can be that person that elevates us.'