NCAA Women’s Basketball: Final Four is Set!
ALBANY, N.Y. — It was a Clark Show Monday night. Iowa star Caitlin Clark scored 41 points, accumulated 12 assists, and retrieved 7 rebounds, propelling her team to advance to the Final Four. Clark's massive performance led Iowa to win in a rematch of the 2023 women's NCAA tournament championship game against LSU. The final score was 87-94. This heated match-up had fans worldwide watching at the edge of their seats until the end of 4th quarter. 12.3 million viewers, to be exact, were tuned in, granting the game the most-watched WCBB Game on Record, per Adam Schefter.
Iowa fans began to taste victory once LSU star Angel Reese fouled out with only minutes left to play. Reese put up 17 points and 20 rebounds, but her defense was less explosive while in foul trouble, and Iowa targeted her to force a foul. Despite LSU's biggest star in foul trouble, the Hawkeyes kept a cozy-sturdy ten-point lead. Clark made 3-pointers that didn't make sense. Her unstoppable 3-point show from way out was impressive; even LSU stars couldn't wrap their heads around Clark's game. Clark had viewers thinking, is she even guardable? Clark easily drilled nine three-pointers, and LSU’s Hailey Van Lith struggled to guard her.
PHOTO CREDIT: ESPN
LSU coach Kim Mulkey shared what she said to Clark post-game: "I sure am glad you're leaving. Girl, you're something else. I've never seen anything like it."
"Something else" may be the perfect term to describe Clark's surreal performance. Clark's dominance is unlike anything we've seen before, and she even broke yet another record last night. Clark passes Diana Taurasi for the most 3-pointers made in the Division I Women's NCAA Tournament in history.
After all of her success this year and advancing her team to the Final Four, it was no surprise that Clark was named the regional's Most Outstanding Player. Is Clark finally on her way to receiving the Champion title? LSU star Angel Reese has not told the press what she plans to do following the loss.
Iowa will battle UConn in the Final Four, and after one of the best match-ups last night against USC, it's clear UConn is not holding back and going full force. UConn star Paige Bueckers finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals last night, leading her team to the Final Four, beating USC 80-73. Buecker played all 40 minutes and kept the same explosiveness from beginning to end. USC freshman JuJu Watkins's historic season ended in an Elite Eight loss; her and USC's success should not get overshadowed by last night's loss.
PHOTO CREDIT: ESPN
Watkins passed Tina Hutchinson to become the all-time highest-scoring freshman in Division I women's college basketball with 899 points. Watkins already holds the single-season scoring record for USC, averaging 27.0 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks. It's safe to say this is only the beginning for this young star. To end her season, scoring 29 points with 10 rebounds left a cliffhanger, showing there's much more to come to this future legend.
Ultimately, it'll be UConn battling Iowa in the Final Four.
"Today was one of the most rewarding feelings I've ever felt in my life," Bueckers told press.
We have to ask...who you got taking it all?!
Photo Credit: ESPN
