Entering Friday’s national semifinal against South Carolina, Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes knew some things.
They knew that the Gamecocks were the defending champions, the No. 1 team in the country and hadn’t lost a game since the SEC Tournament in 2022. They knew that South Carolina was the bigger, more physical team and would likely dominate the offensive glass — which is exactly what happened.
In the end, though, Clark was just too much for even the best team to overcome. She finished the game with 41 points and led Iowa to a 77-73 upset victory.
"The Mythical Mastery of Caitlin Clark continues."
Behind 41 from Clark, Iowa advances to the championship game against LSU. South Carolina was the defending champion and had won 42 straight. pic.twitter.com/1hBqgBq2ad
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 1, 2023
South Carolina didn’t make life easy for Clark. She finished the game 15-for-31 from the field, 5-for-17 on threes and 6-for-6 on free throws.
But she was incredibly clutch. Clark scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. Her team only scored 18 and Clark assisted on the one Iowa basket she didn’t make.
And despite South Carolina’s tough defense, Clark’s 41 points are a record for a national semifinal, men’s or women’s.
Caitlin Clark's 41 points are the most in a National Semifinal Game in Men's or Women's NCAA Tournament history pic.twitter.com/uSxQxtEKbV
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 1, 2023
Clark’s remarkable performance earned her a lot of praise.
Caitlin Clark defeating South Carolina pic.twitter.com/cahbot2WRW
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 1, 2023
Caitlin Clark’s last three tournament games are the stuff of legend 🤯
Sweet 16: 31 PTS | 8 ASTS
Elite 8: 41 PTS | 12 ASTS | 10 REBS
Final Four: 41 PTS | 8 ASTS | 6 REBS pic.twitter.com/rmBvJfpjMX— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 1, 2023
✅ BACK-TO-BACK 40-POINT GAMES
✅ MOST POINTS IN NATIONAL SEMIFINAL HISTORY
✅ LEAD IOWA TO FIRST TITLE GAME EVERCaitlin Clark is special. pic.twitter.com/39nCG2OCOf
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 1, 2023
41-6-8 to beat an undefeated defending champion in a Final Four matchup.
I know we’re making a lot of comparisons, but there’s never been a Caitlin Clark before.
This is so much fun to watch. #WFinalFour pic.twitter.com/eHxtJT3zN8
— patrick (@muldowney) April 1, 2023
🔹41 points
🔹8 assists
🔹6 rebounds
🔹1 steal
🔹Scored or assisted every bucket in the 4th QuarterCaitlin Clark is HER pic.twitter.com/ZPsuyFwjtC
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 1, 2023
Clark and the rest of the Hawkeyes have one more game left. On Sunday, Iowa will take on another SEC team, LSU, in the National Championship Game. The Tigers earned their spot in the game with a 79-72 win over Virginia Tech earlier on Friday.
