Albany, NY—In a highly anticipated rematch of last year’s national championship game, No. 1 Iowa emerged victorious over No. 3 LSU with a final score of 94-87. The electrifying showdown took place before a sold-out crowd of 13, 888 fervent fans at MVP Arena in Albany, NY, on Monday night, leaving spectators on the edge of their seats throughout the game.
The star of the night was undoubtedly Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, whose outstanding performance showcased her dominance on the hardwood. Clark relentlessly attacked the basket, torching the smaller guards of LSU en route to an impressive stat line of 41 points, 12 assists, and 7 rebounds. Supported by her teammates, Kate Martin contributed 21 points, while Sydney Affolter chipped in 16, solidifying Iowa’s offensive prowess.
“It’s amazing to be back in the Final Four. It’s so hard to get back there,” Clark said. “This region was really hard, but we told ourselves we are the one seed for a reason.”
The game began with both teams trading baskets at a blistering pace, resulting in a tied score of 45-45 at halftime. However, it was in the second half that Iowa seized control, with Clark leading the charge by draining two crucial three-pointers early in the third quarter, setting the tempo for her team’s relentless attack.
Despite LSU’s valiant efforts to claw their way back into the game, the Tigers ultimately fell short. Missed opportunities and open shots plagued LSU in the second half, proving costly in their quest for victory.
“There’s not a lot of strategy. You’ve got to guard her. Nobody else seems to be able to guard her,” LSU coach Kim Mulkey said. “We didn’t even guard her last year when we beat them. She’s just a generational player, and she just makes everybody around her better.”
Flau’Jae Johnson led the Tigers’ offensive effort with 23 points, showcasing her scoring prowess. Angel Reese, although fouling out with 1:45 left in the fourth quarter, left an indelible mark on the game with an impressive performance, tallying 17 points, 20 rebounds, and 4 assists. Aneesah Morrow contributed 14 points in a losing effort for LSU.
“I think it’s just great for the sport, just being able to be a part of history. Like I said, no matter which way it went tonight, I know this was going to be a night for the ages,” said Reese. And just being able to be a part of history is great. Playing against another great player, of course, is always amazing.”
With this hard-fought victory, Iowa not only avenges last year’s national championship loss but also solidifies their position as a force to be reckoned with in collegiate basketball. As the season progresses, both teams will undoubtedly continue to showcase their talent and resilience, setting the stage for an exciting journey towards the pinnacle of college basketball success.
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Iowa only played in the national semifinals one time previously before last season, and that was in 1993. They lost to UConn in Clark’s freshman year in the Sweet 16.
