The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: South Carolina women's basketball returns home after championship victory

The South Carolina women's basketball team returns to Columbia, SC after a victory over University of Connecticut in Minneapolis, MN to claim their second national title. Fans waited for the team and cheered them on outside of Colonial Life Arena.

Members of the South Carolina women's basketball team celebrate outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The Gamecocks defeated University of Connecticut 64-49 to claim their second national title.
Members of the South Carolina women's basketball team celebrate outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The Gamecocks defeated University of Connecticut 64-49 to claim their second national title.
South Carolina graduate guard Lele Grissett walks onto the stage with the NCAA championship trophy on April 4, 2022 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC. Many fans gathered outside of the arena for the team's return to Columbia.
South Carolina graduate guard Lele Grissett walks onto the stage with the NCAA championship trophy on April 4, 2022 at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC. Many fans gathered outside of the arena for the team's return to Columbia.
South Carolina fans hold signs at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. The outside of the arena was crowded with fans supporting the women's basketball team.
South Carolina fans hold signs at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. The outside of the arena was crowded with fans supporting the women's basketball team.
South Carolina fans wave signs at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. The outside of the arena was crowded with fans supporting the women's basketball team.
South Carolina fans wave signs at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. The outside of the arena was crowded with fans supporting the women's basketball team.
A South Carolina fan holds a sign outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The arena was crowded with fans in support of the women's basketball team.
A South Carolina fan holds a sign outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The arena was crowded with fans in support of the women's basketball team.
South Carolina fans cheer on the women's basketball team outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The front area of the arena was crowded with fans.
South Carolina fans cheer on the women's basketball team outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The front area of the arena was crowded with fans.
A South Carolina fan holds a sign outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The arena was crowded with fans in support of the women's basketball team.
A South Carolina fan holds a sign outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The arena was crowded with fans in support of the women's basketball team.
South Carolina fans take photos and hold signs at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. Fans waited for the team's arrival outside of the main entrance.
South Carolina fans take photos and hold signs at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. Fans waited for the team's arrival outside of the main entrance.
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley takes selfies with fans at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Fans were excited to welcome the team back to Columbia. 
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley takes selfies with fans at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Fans were excited to welcome the team back to Columbia. 
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley takes selfies with fans at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Fans were excited to welcome the team back to Columbia. 
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley takes selfies with fans at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Fans were excited to welcome the team back to Columbia. 
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley takes selfies with fans at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Fans were excited to welcome the team back to Columbia. 
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley takes selfies with fans at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Fans were excited to welcome the team back to Columbia. 
South Carolina fans wait for the arrival of the women's basketball team on April 4, 2022 at Colonial Life Arena. Fans lined the front entrance of the stadium all the way to the roads.
South Carolina fans wait for the arrival of the women's basketball team on April 4, 2022 at Colonial Life Arena. Fans lined the front entrance of the stadium all the way to the roads.
University of South Carolina interim university President Harris Pastides addresses the crowd at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Pastides recognized the accomplishments of head coach Dawn Staley and her team.
University of South Carolina interim university President Harris Pastides addresses the crowd at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Pastides recognized the accomplishments of head coach Dawn Staley and her team.
Members of the South Carolina women's basketball team hold a national champions sign outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The Gamecocks defeated the University of Connecticut 64-49 to claim their second national title.
Members of the South Carolina women's basketball team hold a national champions sign outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The Gamecocks defeated the University of Connecticut 64-49 to claim their second national title.
South Carolina's NCAA championship trophies sit on a table outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The Gamecocks won their second national title on April 3, 2022 against the the University of Connecticut Huskies.
South Carolina's NCAA championship trophies sit on a table outside of Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. The Gamecocks won their second national title on April 3, 2022 against the the University of Connecticut Huskies.
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley celebrates as she is introduced to the crowd on April 4, 2022 at Colonial Life Arena. Staley has led the Gamecocks to two national titles.
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley celebrates as she is introduced to the crowd on April 4, 2022 at Colonial Life Arena. Staley has led the Gamecocks to two national titles.
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley celebrates as she is introduced to the crowd on April 4, 2022 at Colonial Life Arena. Staley has led the Gamecocks to two national titles.
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley celebrates as she is introduced to the crowd on April 4, 2022 at Colonial Life Arena. Staley has led the Gamecocks to two national titles.
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley speaks to fans outside of Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. Fans cheered as members of the team spoke.
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley speaks to fans outside of Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. Fans cheered as members of the team spoke.
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley takes selfies with fans at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Fans were excited to welcome the team back to Columbia. 
South Carolina women's basketball head coach Dawn Staley takes selfies with fans at Colonial Life Arena on April 4, 2022. Fans were excited to welcome the team back to Columbia. 
South Carolina fans hold signs at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. The outside of the arena was crowded with fans supporting the women's basketball team.
South Carolina fans hold signs at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. The outside of the arena was crowded with fans supporting the women's basketball team.
South Carolina fans prepare for the women's basketball team to arrive at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. Fans crowded the arena before the team arrived.
South Carolina fans prepare for the women's basketball team to arrive at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. Fans crowded the arena before the team arrived.
South Carolina fans prepare for the women's basketball team to arrive at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. Fans crowded around the outside arena before the team arrived.
South Carolina fans prepare for the women's basketball team to arrive at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC on April 4, 2022. Fans crowded around the outside arena before the team arrived.