In a historic upset, the Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA women's basketball tournament semifinals, drawing in a record-breaking 5.5 million viewers. The game, which aired on ESPN, was the most-viewed semifinal in the network's history and the third most-viewed women's college basketball game ever on the channel.
One key factor of Iowa's success in the tournament has been the phenomenal performance of AP National Player of the Year, Caitlin Clark. The junior guard, fresh off the first 40-point triple-double in March Madness history, set another record with a tournament semifinal-record 41 points on 15-for-31 shooting from the field. Clark is the first player in NCAA Tournament history to score back-to-back 40-point games, and in the fourth quarter of the game against South Carolina, she was responsible for all 18 of Iowa's points, scoring or assisting on each basket to secure the victory. Her leadership and clutch performance in the final minutes of the game showed just how crucial she is to Iowa's success.
Clark's performance throughout the tournament has been nothing short of remarkable. She averaged an incredible 33 points per game, which is the highest average in tournament history. Her ability to create and score from anywhere on the court has been a major factor in Iowa's success, and she has emerged as one of the most exciting players to watch in college basketball.
As women's sports continue to gain more recognition and support, it's exciting to see players like Caitlin Clark showcase their talents on a national stage. Her historic performances have captured the attention of fans across the country and have helped to elevate the profile of women's college basketball. The future looks bright for the sport, and we can't wait to see what the next generation of talented players will bring to the court.