Women’s college basketball continues to capture the nation’s attention.
Just a few days ago, the rematch of last year’s NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship between LSU and Iowa drew more than 12 million viewers. The game remained the most-watched women’s college basketball game on record to this day.
Last year, about 9.9 million viewers watched Angel Reese’s Tigers defeat Caitlin Clark’s Hawkeyes in the championship game. ESPN revealed that Iowa State’s narrow win over the UConn Huskies drew a record-breaking 14.2 million viewers.
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The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrate in the locker room after their Final Four game against the Yukon Huskies at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland on April 5, 2024. (C. Morgan Engel/NCAA Photo, Getty Images)
The game became the most-watched college basketball game in ESPN history for both men and women. According to ESPN, the game drew about 17 million viewers at its peak.
Controversial call in Iowa State’s narrow win over Yukon sparks furious reaction
Friday’s Final Four began with a matchup between the undefeated South Carolina Gamecocks and North Carolina State. ESPN noted that an average of 7.1 million people watched South Carolina eliminate North Carolina State.
Caitlin Clark of the Iowa Hawkeyes, 22, and Paige of the University-Con Huskies react during the second half of the Final Four game at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland on April 5, 2024. Buckers player (5 years old). (Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Viewers enjoyed thrilling matches featuring some of the sport’s most famous stars. However, the final sequence of the match sparked controversy.
A costly turnover with a minute left led to a 3-pointer by UW guard Nika Muhl, closing in on Iowa’s lead. The Huskies had possession of the ball with just under 10 seconds left, trailing by just one point. But with 3.9 seconds left and Iowa leading 70-69, UW’s Aliyah Edwards was called for an illegal screen on Iowa’s Gabby Marshall.
Paige Bueckers, 5, of the Yukon Huskies plays during the first half of the Final Four against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland on April 5, 2024. (Gregory Shams/Getty Images)
Edwards was probably setting up a pick to take the shot that could give Paige Bueckers the win. However, a foul call on the offense resulted in a turnover, and UW was unable to get the ball back.
Edwards later said he was not given an explanation by the referees.
After the game, she said, “I didn’t receive any explanation.” “I didn’t really have time to get briefed. From my perspective, it was very clean.”
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Iowa State and South Carolina will meet for the NCAA Women’s National Championship on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in another potentially record-setting game.
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