No. 2 Iowa Hawkeyes upset No. 1 South Carolina on Friday, winning 77-73 to advance to the national championship game. Here’s what you should know:
- Caitlin Clark paced Iowa with a game-high 41 points, eight assists and six rebounds. It is a new national semifinal record for points scored.
- The Hawkeyes will take on No. 3 LSU on Sunday in the national championship game.
- This will be Iowa’s first appearance in the national championship.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What went right for Iowa?
On a night in which two heavyweights traded blows for the entirety of a 40-minute instant classic, the Hawkeyes did just enough to eke out a thrilling upset win. Everything with Iowa — this season and throughout this magical run — starts and ends with Clark, who attempted 31 shots — more than half of her team’s total — and finished with 41 points, eight assists and six rebounds.
South Carolina frustrated her throughout the night, and forced eight turnovers, but a series of timely baskets and made free throws down the stretch proved to be the difference. It certainly helped that center Monika Czinano finished with 18 points in the win, despite dealing with foul trouble.
Friday’s game was also won in the details — Iowa went 14-of-14 at the free throw line, South Carolina…
