In a rematch of last year’s NCAA Tournament Championship Game, Caitlin Clark led the Iowa Hawkeyes to a thrilling win over the defending champion LSU Tigers. Clark had an incredible showing in last year’s Elite Eight — and she was just as spectacular in last night’s win.
Clark led Iowa to a 94-87 win with nine successful three-point shots. Overall, the future No. 1 pick scored 41 points and added 12 assists and seven rebounds — earning the honor of being named the regional’s Most Outstanding Player.
After avenging last year’s crushing loss in the National Championship, Clark and the Hawkeyes will look to return to the big game with a win over the UConn Huskies. On Monday night, 3-seed UConn toppled the 1-seed USC Trojans.
After securing the win, Clark found herself briefly seated amidst the confetti-strewn court, surrounded by teammates and their loved ones capturing the moment in photographs as the nets were ceremoniously trimmed. Even Ted Lasso actor Jason Sudeikis, donning a hoodie emblazoned with the message, “Everyone watches women’s sports,” joined in the Iowa team’s jubilation. Yet, for a fleeting moment, Clark seemed enveloped in her own sphere of triumph.
“I think just having a little silence for myself was the biggest thing,” Clark said. “You’re a competitor, you work so hard for 40 minutes — just to soak it in, enjoy it, take a couple of deep breaths, because these moments go fast. My career is almost over.”
On the losing end of the matchup was LSU star Angel Reese. The Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four in 2023, Reese finished with 17 points and 20 rebounds but appeared to be hampered by a balky ankle late in the game. Regardless, Reese displayed why she is an elite player and took the loss in stride.
“No matter which way it went tonight,” Reese said, “I knew this was going to be a night for the ages.”
