Caitlin Clark left no doubt that she was ready for the bright lights in the Final Four.
The Iowa star poured in 41 points and eight assists to lead the Hawkeyes past South Carolina, 77–73, lifting Iowa to its first national championship game in program history.
While the Gamecocks had the size and clear rebounding advantage (49–25), Clark’s display of offensive prowess was on full display—finishing in the paint underneath the Gamecocks’ length, nailing several patented deep three-pointers (5-of-17) as well getting her teammates in position to score in transition and in the half court.
In addition to Clark recording her 19th game this season with at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists—which leads all players in Division I—forward Monika Czinano finished with 18 points and three rebounds in Iowa’s win.
With a 73–71 lead late in the game, Clark missed on a long-range three pointer with 20 seconds to play. However, Iowa guard McKenna Warnock secured the rebound and was able to kick it back out to Clark, who was fouled with 14 seconds remaining. Clark notched a pair of free throws to bring her total to 39 points, an NCAA tournament semifinal record, before hitting two more in the game’s dying seconds to bring her total to 41.
Clark became the first player in NCAA tournament history with back-to-back 40-point games on Friday after her 41-point triple-double in the Hawkeyes’ win against Louisville. This feat has only happened once in men’s or women’s NCAA tournament history, back in 1970 when Austin Carr notched three consecutive 40-point performances.
Clark scored and assisted on 75% of Iowa’s points.
“I have all the confidence in the world in this group, and they believe right back in me,” Clark told ESPN’s Holly Rowe after the game.
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It’s South Carolina’s first loss since March 6, 2022, snapping a 42-game win streak. The Gamecocks had only trailed one time heading into the fourth quarter all season prior to Friday’s game.
Clark and Iowa will move on to play LSU at 3:30 p.m. Sunday in the national championship game.
