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South Carolina caps off a perfect season with the NCAA Championship, defeating Clark and Iowa 87-75

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South Carolina has grow to be the newest dynasty in women’s basketball after winning its third title in the last eight years

CLEVELAND (AP) Dawn Staley and South Carolina accomplished their perfect season, ending Caitlin Clark’s historic college profession with an 87-75 victory over Iowa in the NCAA championship game Sunday.

Thanks to Staley’s relentless attack from the sideline, the Gamecocks (38-0) became the tenth Division I team to go an undefeated season. They achieved this feat after losing all five starters from last season’s team that lost to Clark’s team in the national semifinals.

“Things don’t all the time end the way you wish, like last 12 months. But my novices are at the center of my heart because they desired to be. This is awesome. …. This is awesome. This is awesome. It’s unbelievable,” Staley said. “When young people lock in, have faith and trust, and their parents have that same trust, that’s what can happen. They made history. They engraved their names in history books.

Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks celebrates after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes during the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament National Championship at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on April 7, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Clark did everything she could to lead the Hawkeyes to their first championship. She scored 30 points, including a championship-record 18 in the first quarter. She will go down in history as one of the greatest players in NCAA history. She rewrote the record books at Iowa (34-5), finishing her career as the all-time leading scorer in NCAA Division I history with 3,951 career points.

She hopes her legacy is not defined by her failures in two NCAA championship games, but rather by the millions of new fans she helped introduce to the game and the countless young girls and boys she inspired.

“I think the main thing is that these things are really hard to win. “I feel I comprehend it higher than most individuals, being that close twice really hurts,” Clark said.

When the last beep sounded, stoic Clark he walked off the court, past the confetti, and into the tunnel toward the locker room.

“I personally want to thank Caitlin Clark for raising the profile of our sport. She carried a lot of weight for our sport,” Staley said. “She’s going to elevate this league (WNBA) as well. Caitlin Clark, if you’re there, you’re one of the GOATs in our game. We appreciate you.”

South Carolina has won three championships in the last eight years, including two of the last three, and is laying claim to being the newest dynasty in women’s basketball. Staley became the fifth coach to win three national championships, joining Geno Auriemma, Pat Summitt, Kim Mulkey and Tara VanDerveer.

The Gamecocks, who have won 109 of their last 112 games, became the first team since UConn in 2016 to remain undefeated. South Carolina had a few scares throughout the season, but always found a way to win.

With most of the team returning next year, with the exception of star center Kamilla Cardoso, Staley’s team is in a good position to keep that momentum going.

Tessa Johnson led South Carolina with 19 points. Cardoso had 15 points and 17 rebounds.

“Kamilla Cardoso was not going to let us lose a game in the NCAA tournament,” Staley said. “She played through injury, she played like one of the top selections in the WNBA draft, and her teammates did something no other teammate had ever done for someone who went to the WNBA in our program. They send her as the national champion. This is history for us.”

Led by 6-foot-7 Cardoso and Ashlyn Watkins, the South Carolina team had a 51-29 rebounding advantage. He also ended up with 30 second-chance points.

The Gamecocks also showed impressive depth. Johnson helped the team to a 37-0 point differential by the reserves.

South Carolina led 46-44 late in the second quarter and then went on an 11-0 halftime lead to open a 55-46 lead early in the third quarter. Clark finally finished the run with a layup.

The Hawkeyes tied the score at 59-55 and had a chance to get even closer, but Hannah Stuelke missed an open layup after a brilliant pass from Clark.

South Carolina responded with another eight points, including two three-pointers. The Gamecocks, who were 4 of 20 from the three-point line in last year’s Final Four loss to Iowa, were 8 of 19 against the Hawkeyes this time around.

After the third quarter, the Gamecocks led 68-59. They led 76-64 early in the fourth period before three runs by Clark and Gabbie Marshall put Iowa within six.

South Carolina guard Raven Johnson (25) blocks a shot by Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (22) during the first half of the Final Four college championship game in the NCAA women’s tournament, Sunday, April 7, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Iowa trailed 80-75 after Sydney Affolter’s three-point play with 4:12 left. This would be the last point scored by the Hawkeyes as South Carolina scored the final seven points of the game.

Clark left the court with 20 seconds left when Iowa State coach Lisa Bluder replaced fellow senior Molly Davis, who had not played since she was injured in the regular-season finale against Ohio State.

Unlike in the semifinals, when Clark struggled against the UConn defense, she started the game early against South Carolina. Clark scored 13 straight points for Iowa after the Hawkeyes jumped out to a 7-0 lead, including another three-pointer to help her school gain a 20-9 advantage heading into the first media timeout.

South Carolina increased the score to 22-20 with 1:30 left in the game before Clark scored the final five points, including a three-pointer over Cardoso. Clark’s 18 points in the first quarter set a championship game record, surpassing the 16 points LSU’s Jasmine Carson scored last year against the Hawkeyes.

She only scored three points in the second quarter, hitting a three-pointer with 1:53 left in the quarter. Meanwhile, the Gamecocks used their depth and interior dominance to get back into the game. Cardoso had 11 points and seven rebounds in the first 20 minutes.

The Gamecocks led 46-44 in the final minute when Te-Hina PaoPao hit a three-pointer and Raven Johnson stole the ball from Clark near midcourt and went up the court. South Carolina led 49-46 at halftime.

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The post South Carolina ends perfect season with NCAA Championship, defeating Clark and Iowa 87-75 appeared first on TheGrio.

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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”

She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.

Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”

One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.

Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.

When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.

Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”

Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”

Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.

Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.

Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

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India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.

“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”

Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.

Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.


Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

Name:
India Shawn

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Artistic soundscape

Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric

The oldest musical memory

Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.

Influences

For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.

Creative process

Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”

Challenges and development

As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”

Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.

Current project

There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

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With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.

Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.

From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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