Amanda Knapp
The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team reached the national championship game in 2024, beating UConn 71-69 to advance to the final. The Hawkeyes were led by Hannah Stuelke's 23 points and Caitlin Clark's 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists. However, they were beaten in the final by the South Carolina Gamecocks, who won 87-75 to claim their second NCAA title in three years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coach | Lisa Bluder |
| Key Players | Caitlin Clark, Monika Czinano, Megan Gustafson |
| Achievements | Six Big Ten championships, played in nine NCAA tournaments, reached the Final Four in 1993, won the Big Ten Conference tournament championship in 2019, advanced to the Elite Eight of the 2019 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, won the 2022 Big Ten women's basketball tournament, repeated as Big Ten champions in 2023 |
| Attendance Record | 55,646 people at "Crossover at Kinnick" on October 15, 2023 |
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What You'll Learn
Iowa Hawkeyes defeat UConn to reach the national championship game
The Iowa Hawkeyes defeated UConn 71-69 in a thrilling semifinal matchup at the Final Four on Friday, April 5, 2024, advancing to the national championship game for the second consecutive year. Led by the stellar performance of Caitlin Clark, who scored 21 points, including three momentum-turning 3-pointers in the second half, the Hawkeyes fought off the Huskies to secure their spot in the title game.
Clark, the all-time leading scorer in college basketball, showcased her exceptional talent despite a slow start to the game. She made her presence felt in the second half, scoring seven points in the first 2 and a half minutes of the period and propelling Iowa to a narrow lead. The Hawkeyes then extended their lead to 66-57, but UConn mounted a comeback, cutting the deficit to just one point with a 3-pointer from Nika Muhl. However, Iowa demonstrated their resilience and determination, sealing the win in the final seconds of the game.
Hannah Stuelke played a pivotal role in Iowa's victory, leading the team in scoring with 23 points and stepping up when Clark was held in check during the early stages of the game. Stuelke's crucial rebound and tip in the closing moments ensured Iowa maintained possession, thwarting UConn's chance to take the lead. Sydney Affolter also made a significant contribution, grabbing the rebound after Stuelke's tip and securing the ball for the Hawkeyes.
The victory over UConn marked a significant milestone for the Iowa Hawkeyes, as they ended UConn's remarkable run and avenged their loss to the Huskies three years prior. The Hawkeyes' triumph set the stage for a highly anticipated rematch with South Carolina, who defeated NC State earlier that night and boasted an undefeated 37-0 record. With the memory of their loss to LSU in the previous year's national championship game, the Hawkeyes were determined to seize the opportunity to capture their first-ever national championship in women's college basketball.
The Iowa Hawkeyes' defeat of UConn showcased the team's depth, resilience, and unwavering determination. With Caitlin Clark at the helm, the Hawkeyes were poised to make history and capture the elusive national championship title. As Clark reflected on her illustrious career at Iowa, the stage was set for a thrilling conclusion to their remarkable season.
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South Carolina beat Iowa to win the NCAA women's championship
South Carolina beat Iowa 87-75 to win their third NCAA women's championship. The Gamecocks' Tessa Johnson had 19 points, and Kamilla Cardoso had 15, as the team crushed Iowa's hopes for its first championship title.
Iowa's star player, Caitlin Clark, put up a valiant fight, scoring a game-high 30 points. However, South Carolina's depth and athleticism proved too much for the Hawkeyes to handle. The Gamecocks' bench outscored Iowa's bench 37-0, showcasing their well-rounded roster.
This was Clark's final game for Iowa before heading to the WNBA, where she is expected to be a top draft pick. Despite the loss, Clark's talent and impact on the sport were recognized and celebrated by South Carolina coach Dawn Staley.
South Carolina's victory completed a perfect 38-0 season, marking the 10th perfect season in the history of Division I women's basketball. The Gamecocks avenged their loss to Iowa in the Final Four the previous year, showcasing their dominance and determination to reclaim the championship title.
The game was a hard-fought battle, with both teams displaying their skills and determination. South Carolina's victory cemented their place in NCAA women's basketball history, while Iowa's resilient performance despite falling short demonstrated the talent and competitiveness within their program.
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Iowa women's basketball star Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark is regarded as one of the greatest female collegiate players in the history of the game. Clark, who plays for the Iowa Hawkeyes, is a premier guard with an incredible offensive skill set. She has the ability to score at will, while also being an excellent passer to her teammates. Her playmaking skills have helped her popularize women's basketball, a phenomenon dubbed the "Caitlin Clark effect".
Born on January 22, 2002, in West Des Moines, Iowa, Clark attended Dowling Catholic High School, where she was named a McDonald's All-American and rated the fourth-best player in her class by ESPN. She chose to continue her career at Iowa, where she twice earned national female college basketball player of the year honours and remains the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer.
Clark's impact on the court has translated to increased popularity for women's basketball. During her junior year, she helped the 2023 national championship game become the most-viewed women's college basketball game in history with 9.9 million viewers. In her senior season, publications attributed a rise in attendance and television viewership for the sport to Clark.
Clark's achievements have been recognized by the state of Iowa. On February 22, 2024, the Iowa House of Representatives unanimously passed a resolution declaring February 22 as "Caitlin Clark Day" in honour of her jersey number. The following month, members of Iowa's federal delegation, including senators and representatives, introduced a resolution to recognize Clark for breaking the NCAA Division I scoring record. Clark's impact extends beyond the court, as evidenced by an autographed trading card of hers selling for $78,000, the highest amount ever for a women's basketball card.
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Iowa's road to the Final Four
The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team has enjoyed a rich history of success, with multiple Big Ten championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. The team's road to the Final Four in 1993 is particularly noteworthy.
Beginning with the 1983-84 season, the team was coached by Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Stringer for 12 seasons. During this period, the Hawkeyes established themselves as a force to be reckoned with, capturing six Big Ten championships and appearing in nine NCAA Tournaments.
In the 1992-93 season, the Hawkeyes continued their dominant run, securing another Big Ten championship and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament. They battled through the early rounds, showcasing their talent and determination, to reach the Final Four. This achievement solidified their status as one of the top women's basketball programs in the country.
The Hawkeyes' success under Stringer attracted unprecedented attention, as evidenced by the record-breaking attendance of 22,157 fans during their game against Ohio State in 1985. Stringer's tenure concluded in 1995, and Angie Lee stepped up to lead the team. In her inaugural season, Lee guided the Hawkeyes to a Big Ten championship, demonstrating the program's consistent excellence.
The Iowa Hawkeyes women's basketball team has continued to thrive, with subsequent coaches building upon this legacy. The team's impact extends beyond the court, as evidenced by their charitable initiatives, such as the 2023 "Crossover at Kinnick" event, which attracted 55,646 attendees and raised funds for the Stead Family Children's Hospital.
The Hawkeyes' journey to the Final Four in 1993 was a pivotal moment in their history, setting a standard of excellence that continues to inspire the program and its fans.
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UConn's Paige Bueckers and Iowa's Caitlin Clark go head-to-head
UConn's Paige Bueckers and Iowa's Caitlin Clark faced off in the 2024 Women's Final Four, a rematch of their 2021 Sweet 16 showdown. Clark's Iowa came out on top, beating Bueckers' UConn 70-64.
Bueckers, the No. 1 recruit in the 2020 class, joined the most well-known and successful program in the country, while Clark, the No. 4 recruit, opted to stay at Iowa, who had only reached the Final Four once before in 1993. UConn's coach Auriemma believes Bueckers is the "best player in America", but Clark is also an exceptional talent, receiving the loudest cheer of any player during pregame introductions.
Despite the hype surrounding the two stars, both players emphasised the team game in the build-up to the Final Four matchup. Bueckers acknowledged the importance of her teammates in winning a basketball game, while Clark echoed this sentiment, stating that it's not about her versus Bueckers, but rather the performance of the entire team.
In the game itself, Iowa trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half but found their offensive rhythm in the second half, pulling ahead in the fourth quarter. UConn had a chance to win the game with a game-winning jumper in the final seconds, but an illegal screen call with 3.9 seconds left sealed Iowa's victory.
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Frequently asked questions
South Carolina beat Iowa in the 2024 NCAA women's basketball national championship.
South Carolina beat Iowa by a score of 87-75.
Iowa's star player in the 2024 NCAA women's basketball national championship was Caitlin Clark.
