Iowa State superstar Kaitlin Clark didn’t face her best match. university university Advance to the Women’s Final Four in 2024. The Huskies face-guarded Clark with a long, long-range defender in Nika Muhl all night, but it was his worst scoring performance all season.
Clark finished with 21 points despite a tough night. She also made her smartest play of the game to clinch her victory and send Iowa to the national championship game for the second year in a row.
Iowa defeated Yukon 71-69 to advance to Sunday’s title game against No. 1 overall seed South Carolina. Unfortunately, the Iowa vs. UW game was decided by a controversial screen on the Huskies and will likely be debated to the end.
Iowa State had to end the game after officials interfered with a screen move on UW player Aliyah Edwards. Clark inbounded the ball under his own basket with just over a second left. UW star Paige Bueckers turned her back on Clark, but the Iowa star fired it through her legs as precious time ticked down. Clark’s deft pass secured Iowa’s victory. Watch here:
Even on an off night, the greats always find a way.
Clark said of the play after the game: I understand basketball. She had her back turned to me…. She was trying to waste time. It just popped into my head and it worked. ”
Clark went 7-of-18 from the floor and 3-of-11 from 3-point range. She continued her streak of scoring 20 or more points in every game this season, but she tied her season-low scoring record against the Huskies.
Credit UConn’s defense for giving her trouble all night. Clark believes he still finds ways to make very smart plays at the end of games to ensure victory.
