In an SEC showdown very few expected, South Carolina pulled away and won their first NCAA national championship with a 67-55 victory over Mississippi State.

It was the first time either school has played for a national title after Mississippi State ended Connecticut's 111-game winning streak, and South Carolina became the first SEC team since Tennessee in 2008 to win the entire tournament.

Gamecocks star A'ja Wilson led all players with 23 points and added 10 rebounds and was named most outstanding player of championship weekend.

The Gamecocks' 14-2 run at the end of the fourth quarter all but sealed the deal for their inaugural championship win, even though Mississippi State closed in midway through the fourth quarter and got to within four points.

Mississippi struggled inside the arc, scoring only 34.5 percent compared to the Gamecocks' 45.5 percent.

Combined with South Carolina completing 76.4 percent of its shots in the paint, Mississippi State failed to keep up.

The third time was the charm for South Carolina, who defeated Mississippi State twice this season, including in the SEC title game.

It is the 11th consecutive game the Gamecocks have defeated the Bulldogs in the regular season and postseason.